The Idea of Equilibrium Flashcards
What is a reversible reaction?
A reaction where the products can react to reform the original reactants
Why is the reaction involving hydrated and anhydrous copper sulfate considered reversible?
The process of removing water by heating and adding water to reform the original compound can occur repeatedly in both directions
What is dynamic equilibrium?
A situation in which the rate of the forward process (eg evaporation) is equal to the rate of the reverse process, and the amounts of substances in both phases remain constant
In a closed container, what happens to the number of molecules in a reaction at equilibrium?
The number of molecules in the reaction remain constant, even though the chemical reactions continues
What are the four conditions needed for equilibrium?
- Equilibrium can only be reached in a close system
- Equilibrium can be approached from either direction
- Equilibrium is a dynamic process
- Equilibrium is reached when macroscopic properties of the system, do not change with time
Does a closed system need to be sealed to reach equilibrium? If no, explain why
No it does not need to be sealed, the system just needs to not allow the reactants and products to leave
What is meant by equilibrium being a “dynamic process”?
It means that while opposing processes continue to occur, their rates are equal, resulting in no net change
What are example of microscopic properties that remain constant at equilibrium?
Density, concentration, colour and pressure
What happens to the rate of the forward reaction at the start of a chemical equilibria process?
The forward reaction is fast because the concentration of reactants are high
Why is there no reverse reaction at the start of a chemical equilibrium process?
There are no products present at first, so the reverse reaction cannot occur
What happens as the concentration of products increase in a chemical equilibrium?
The reverse reaction speeds up as more products become available to react and form the reactants
What happens to the forward reaction as the reactants are consumed?
The forward reaction slows down because the concentration of reactant decrease
When is chemical equilibrium reached?
When the rate of the forward reactions equals the rate of the reverse reaction and the concentration of reactants and products remain constant
In terms of particle movement, what defines chemical equilibrium?
The same number of particles are converting from reactants and products are converting from products to reactants
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