Chemical Equilibria

Question 1

How does a system reach dynamic equilibrium?

Answer 1

within a closed system.
So the rate of the forward reaction equals the rate of the backward reaction.
The equilibrium is dynamic because both the forward and backward reactions are still taking place.

Question 2

what is le chateliers principle?

Answer 2

The position of the equilibrium of a system changes to minimise the effect of any imposed change in conditions.
result of ;
change in conc, temp, pressure

Question 3

Difference between a transition state and an intermediate state?

Answer 3

transition state - a local energy maxima, so its located at the peak of a reaction profile curve between reactants and products.
Has partial bonds (some breaking, others forming) and is very unstable, so quickly breaks down into a react. or prod.

intermediate state - a local energy minima, which has a very discrete lifetime (from nanoseconds to days) and can also be located.

Question 4

maxwell - boltzmann distribution

Answer 4

The Maxwell-Bolzmann distribution shows the energy distribution of all the particles in a closed system. Particles can gain or lose energy when they collide but the distribution will be the same.