Dynamic Equilibrium

Question 1

what happens when a reversible reaction is left in a sealed container?

Answer 1

the forwards and backwards reactions will eventually balance out - from that point onwards, the mixture of reactants and products in the container is referred to as being in dynamic equilibrium

Question 2

what does dynamic equilibrium mean?

Answer 2

• the forwards and backwards reactions are still happening, just at the same rate
• the concentrations of reactants and products remain unchanged

Question 3

what is the equilibrium position?

Answer 3

the resulting balance of products and reactants in an equilibrium mixture

Question 4

what does the equilibrium on the right mean?

Answer 4

there are more products than reactants in the mixture - the products are on the right-hand side of the equation

Question 5

what does it mean if the equilibrium is on the left?

Answer 5

there are more reactants than products in the mixture - the reactants are on the left-hand side of the equation

Question 6

the greater the imbalance in reactants and products…

Answer 6

the further an equilibrium is to the left are right

Question 7

what happens when the amounts of reactants and products are equal?

Answer 7

the equilibrium is in the middle

Question 8

how can you tell when an equilibrium is?

Answer 8

by observing or measuring one of the substances

Question 9

in the decomposition of N2O4 how can you tell where an equilibrium is?

Answer 9

• by seeing how brown the mixture is - very light is on the left and very brown is on the right
• the more brown the mixture is, the more NO2 must be present and the further the equilibrium is to the right

Question 10

what does Le Chatelier’s principle state?

Answer 10

the equilibrium shifts to counteract any change imposed on it

Question 11

in what direction would the equilibrium shift when a substance is added?

Answer 11

in whichever direction uses it up

Question 12

in what direction would the equilibrium shift when a substance is removed?

Answer 12

in whichever direction creates it

Question 13

in what direction would the equilibrium shift when gas pressure increases?

Answer 13

to whichever side has fewest moles of gas

Question 14

in what direction would the equilibrium shift when gas pressure decreases?

Answer 14

to whichever side has the most moles of gas

Question 15

in what direction would the equilibrium shift when temperature increases?

Answer 15

in whichever direction is enothermic

Question 16

in what direction would the equilibrium shift when temperature decreases?

Answer 16

in whichever direction is exothermic