Equilibrium

Question 1

What is Le Chatelier’s Principle?

Answer 1

• If an equilibrium system is subject to change, then, if possible, the system will adjust itself to partially oppose the effect of this change

Question 2

What happens if you increase the volume of gas in an equilibrium system?
- Decrease pressure

Answer 2

• Shift to the side with the most particles (most particles, more volume)
• Decrease in concentration (along with pressure)

Question 3

What happens if you decrease the volume of gas in an equilibrium system?
- Increase pressure

Answer 3

• Shift to the side with the least particles (least particles, less volume)
• Increase in concentration (along with pressure)

Question 4

In the example of an exothermic equilibrium reaction, how does a change in temperature affect the value of the equilibrium constant?

Answer 4

For increase in temp:
- Decrease the equilibrium constant
- Exothermic forward reaction and endothermic back reaction
- Increase in temperature causes shift toward reactants as system partially opposes change
- Increasing reactant concentration and decreasing product concentration

For decrease in temp:
- Opposite of above, minus point 2

Question 5

What does increasing temperature of an equilibrium system do to the rate of reaction?

Answer 5

• Rate of reaction would increase
• The particles would have a higher kinetic energy, meaning more particles have enough energy to overcome activation energy.
• More collisions would occur, meaning more successful collisions