Dynamic Equilibrium

Question 1

What does the symbol ‘⇌’ mean in a reaction?

Answer 1

The reaction is reversible

Question 2

Explain what is meant by the term ‘reversible reaction’.

Answer 2

A reaction where the products can react with each other to produce the original reactants

Question 3

The haber process is an example of a reversible reaction.

Describe what the haber process is.

Answer 3

A reaction in which nitrogen, extracted from the air, and hydrogen, obtained from natural gas, react to form ammonia

Question 4

What are the conditions required to carry out the haber process?

Answer 4

• Temperature 450 °C
• Pressure of 200 atmospheres
• An iron catalyst

Question 5

What is meant by ‘dynamic equilibrium’?

Answer 5

• Dynamic equilibrium occurs when the forward and backward reactions in a reversible reaction happen at the same time and same rate
• There is no change in concentration of the reactants or the products

Question 6

(Exam-style question)

Equilibrium can only be reached if the reversible reaction takes place in a closed system.

Explain what is meant by a ‘closed system’.

Answer 6

A closed system is a system where none of the reactants or products can escape, therefore there is no observable change