Chapter 8 - Chemical Equilibria
Chapter 8 - Chemical Equilibria
Chapter 8 - Chemical Equilibria
com
www.youtube.com/megalecture
www.megalecture.com
Learning outcomes:
(a) explain, in terms of rates of the forward and reverse reactions, what is meant by a reversible
reaction and dynamic equilibrium.
(b) state Le Chatelier’s Principle and apply it to deduce qualitatively (from appropriate
information) the effects of changes in temperature, concentration or pressure, on a system at
equilibrium.
(c) state whether changes in concentration, pressure or temperature or the presence of a catalyst
affect the value of the equilibrium constant for a reaction.
(d) deduce expressions for equilibrium constants in terms of concentrations, Kc, and partial
pressures, Kp. [treatment of the relationship between Kp and Kc is not required]
(e) calculate the values of equilibrium constants in terms of concentrations or partial pressures
from appropriate data.
(f) calculate the quantities present at equilibrium, given appropriate data (such calculations will
not require the solving of quadratic equations).
(g) describe and explain the conditions used in the Haber process and the Contact process, as
examples of the importance of an understanding of chemical equilibrium in the chemical
industry.
(h) show understanding of, and use, the Brønsted-Lowry theory of acids and bases, including the
use of the acid-I, base-II concept.
(i) explain qualitatively the differences in behaviour between strong and weak acids and bases and
the pH values of their aqueous solutions in terms of the extent of dissociation.
Online Classes : [email protected]
www.youtube.com/megalecture
www.megalecture.com
Characteristics of equilibrium
Le Chatelier's principle
2) In other words, "whatever done to the system, the system does the opposite".
A+ B⇌ C + D
1) When something is added or removed, the system will does the opposite so as to
remove or replace it.
6) If there are equal number of molecules on each side of the equation, changes
in pressure will not affect the position of equilibrium. However, it will still
affect the rate of reaction.
Effect of catalyst
1) Catalysts will not affect the position of equilibrium. This is because a catalyst
increases both the rate of forward and reverse reaction.
1) Equilibrium constant is the value of the reaction quotient when the reaction
has reached equilibrium. Alternatively, it can also be defined as the measure of
the extent in which reactants are converted into products.
2) The partial pressure of a gas A in a mixture of gases is the pressure that gas
A will exert, if gas A alone was to occupy the same volume at the same
temperature. It is given by:
1) Note:
i. Concentration of liquids and solids are omitted in the expression of Kp and Kc.
ii. State symbols are not essential in writing the expressions.
4) When the acidic solution reacts with a base, what is actually functioning as an
acid is the hydroxonium ion, H3O⁺.
H3O⁺ + OH⁻ → 2H2O
Conjugate pairs
1) When ammonia gas dissolves in water, the reaction that occurs is reversible:
NH3(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH4⁺(aq) + OH⁻(aq)..............(3)
In the forward reaction, H2O is acting as an acid because it has donated a
proton and NH3 is acting as a base because it has accepted a proton.
In the backward reaction, OH⁻ is acting as a base because it has accepted a
proton and NH4⁺ is acting as an acid because it has donated a proton.
2) Therefore OH⁻ is the conjugate base of the acid H2O while NH4⁺ is the
conjugate acid of the base NH3.
Online Classes : [email protected]
www.youtube.com/megalecture
www.megalecture.com
3) In general:
i. Every acid has a conjugate base, this is the particle left when the acid has
given away its proton.
ii. Every base has a conjugate acid, this is the particle left when the base has
accepted a proton.
5) Note:
i. Strength of acids and bases is defined in terms of degree of dissociation
while concentration is defined as the number of moles per unit volume.
ii. Therefore a weak acid in high concentration is still classified as a weak acid.
iii. Also, a strong acid in low concentration is still classified as a strong acid.