Chemical Equilibrium Flashcards
What is chemical equilibrium defined as?
the state where the concentration of reactants and products remain constant with time.
On a molecular level, describe the dynamic situation of equilibrium?
the reactants are being converted to products and products are being converted to reactants at the same rate.
When is system said to have reached equilibrium?
Once the concentrations of A and B reach levels where the forward rate equals the reverse rate
Once equilibrium is reached, how is it maintained?
by all relevant factors remaining the same
To determine the amount of each compound that will be present at equilibrium what must you know?
the equilibrium constant
What is the equilibrium constant, K given by?
K= [C]c [D]d / [A]a [B]b
What are equilibrium constants independent of?
the concentrations or pressures of the species involved in the equilibrium reaction
In terms of equilibrium concentrations and value of K, what is important to note?
the value of k is independent of the concentration (i.e. unaffected)
Describe the effect of a catalyst on the value of K.
A catalyst will not affect the position of equilibrium, therefore has no effect on K.
In terms of temperature and value of K, what is important to note?
K values are dependent on temperature
For an exothermic reaction, describe the effect of an increase in temp on the position of equilibrium and therefore the value of K.
equilibrium will shift to the left. The yield of product is decreased, causing a decrease in K.
For an endothermic reaction, describe the effect of an increase in temp on the position of equilibrium and therefore the value of K.
equilibrium will shift to the right. The yield of product is increased, causing an increase in K
What does the water molecule exist in?
equilibrium with its ions
Describe the equilibrium of water? Explain this.
it lies far to the left. Very few water molecules dissociate - they can effectively be treated as having a constant concentration
What is [H20] given the value of?
1
For any neutral solution, what value are [H2+] and [OH-] given?
1x10-7 mol l-1
What is the value of Kw?
1x10-14 at 24 degrees Celsius
What does the value of Kw vary with?
temperature
What kind of process is the formation of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions from water?
endothermic (forward reaction)
Explain why the value of Kw varies with temperature?
According to Le Chatelier’s principle, if you increase the temperature of the water, the forward reaction will be favoured, and more hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions will be formed. The effect of that is to increase the value of Kw as temperature increases.
What does the value of K provide indication of?
the extent of a reaction once it has reached equilibrium i.e. whether the position of equilibrium lies to the left pr right.
If K is large (>1) describe the position of equilibrium.
[products]>[reactants] and equilibrium lies to the right
If K is small (<1) describe the position of equilibrium.
[reactants]>[products] and equilibrium lies to the left.
What do K values gives no indication of?
the rate of reaction
How do you know its a strong acid?
fully dissociated in aqueous solution
Give 3 examples of strong acids.
hydrochloric acid
sulphuric acid
nitric acid
How do you know its a weak acid?
partially dissociated in aqueous solution
Give an example of a weak acid.
ethanoic acid
Describe an acid as part of Bronsted Lowry Definition.
An acid is a proton donor i.e. will donate H+ ions to another substance.
Describe a base as part of Bronsted Lowry Definition.
A base is a proton acceptor i.e. a substance that accepts hydrogen ions.
What equation is used to find the pH of a strong acid?
-log10[H+]
What equation is used to calculate the hydrogen ion concentration when given the pH?
10*-pH
How do you find out the hydroxide ion concentration from the hydrogen ion concentration?
Kw/ [H+]
How do you find out the hydrogen ion concentration from the hydroxide ion concentration?
Kw/[OH-]