3.2 - equilibria Flashcards
what is dynamic equilibrium?
when the rate of the forward reaction = rate of the back reaction
what can be said about the concentration of reactants and products at equilibrium?
they will be constant but are rarely equal
when does a reaction lie to the right?
when there is more product than reactant
when does a reaction lie to the left?
when there is more reactant than product
what three factors can be altered to favour the products of a reaction?
- temperature
- concentration
- pressure
what reaction does increasing the temperature favour?
endothermic reaction (uses up excess heat)
what reaction does decreasing the temperature favour?
exothermic reaction (gives out heat)
what side of the reaction does increasing the pressure favour?
side of the least volume of gas
what side of the reaction does decreasing the pressure favour?
side of the greatest volume of gas
what is the only equilibrium that changing the pressure has an impact on?
- an equilibrium that involves gases
- if there is a different number of moles of gaseous reactants and products
what is the only way that a reaction involving gases will attain equilibrium?
- a reaction involving gases will only obtain equilibrium if it is carries out in a closed container
- if the container is open then the gases will escape and equilibrium will never be reached
what is ammonia made from?
nitrogen and hydrogen gas in the haber process
what changes in concentration shift an equilibrium to the right (produce more products)?
- increase concentration of reactants
- remove products
what is the impact of a catalyst on the equilibrium of a reaction?
a catalyst speeds up both the forward and back reaction equally, reaching the point of equilibrium faster
will the addition of a catalyst have an impact on the position of equilibrium?
a catalyst does not affect the position of equilibrium i.e. if the equilibrium mixture lies to the right without a catalyst it will still lie to the right with a catalyst
