Reverse reactions and equilibrium Flashcards
What is a reversible reaction?
Some chemical reaction can proceed in both forwards and backwards directions. We describe these reactions as reversible.
What does a reversible reaction look like?
A + B –> C + D
What do the reactants (A+B) combine to make?
They combine to give the products (C+D)
What do products (C+D) combine to make?
They combine to give the reactants (A+B)
If the forwards reaction (transfers energy from reactants to the environment) what type of reaction would the backwards reaction be?
Endothermic (transfers energy from environment to the reactants)
What is conserved during chemical reactions?
Energy
What is eventually reached when reversible reactions happen within a closed system?
A dynamic equilibrium
What is a closed system?
A system where reactants and products can neither be added not removed.
What happens at dynamic equilibrium?
The rates of the forwards and backwards reactions are equal.
Why is the equilibrium dynamic?
Both the forward and backward reactions are still taking place.
What doesn’t change at dynamic equilibrium?
The concentrations of reactants and products.
What do the conditions determine in a reaction as equilibrium?
The relative quantities of the different reactants and products
What does Le Chatelier’s principle say?
If any of the conditions of a reversible reaction at equilibrium are changed, the closed system will adapt to counteract whatever has changed.
What is Le Chatelier’s principle used to predict?
The outcome of changes imposed on a system at equilibrium.
What does changing the conditions in a reversible reaction affect?
The position of equilibrium
