Unit 1.7 - Simple Equilibra and acid-base reactions Flashcards
What are the characteristics of chemical equilibrium?
- The reaction is reversible
- The equilibrium is dynamic (i.e - the reaction is still proceeding)
- The rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the backward reaction
- At equilibrium, properties such as concentration and pressure are constant
- Equilibrium can only be attained in a closed system
Symbol for reversible reaction
—>
<—
—>
<— meaning
reversible reaction
What does it mean that the equilibrium is dynamic during chemical equilibrium?
The reaction is still proceeding
Dynamic equilibrium definition
A reversible reaction where the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the backward reaction
What are the observations we can make due to the fact that the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the backward reaction in chemical equilibrium?
No observable change in the system
Which properties are constant in chemical equilibrium?
Pressure and temperature, for example
In what type of system only can equilibrium be attained?
Closed
What’s a fizzy drink can an example of?
A closed system within which equilibrium can be attained
Example of a closed system
Fizzy drink can
Why would there be no observable change in a system in chemical equilibrium?
The rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the backward reaction
What is “the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the backward reaction” the definition for?
Dynamic equilibrium
Compare a system in dynamic equilibrium in different conditions
Fixed conditions - stable
Sensitive to alterations in conditions
When is a system in dynamic equilibrium stable?
Under fixed conditions
What are the reactants and products constantly doing in a reversible reaction?
Reactants - constantly forming products
Products - constantly forming reactants
Describe the amount of products and reactants in a system in dynamic equilibium
Constant, not equal
Are the amount of reactants and products in a system in dynamic equilibrium equal?
No, but they are constant
What is a system in dynamic equilibrium sensitive to?
Alteration in conditions
Homogenous system
All the substances are in the same physical state (e.g - g)
What type of system is one where all of the substances are on the same physical state?
Homogenous
The Haber process equation + what is it an example of?
N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) —> 2NH3 (g)
<—
A homogenous system (all g)
Give two examples of homogenous systems
- Formation of ammonia in the haber process
- the esterification between an organic acid and an alcohol
Heterogeneous systems
The substances are in two or more physical states
What type of system is one where the substances are in two or more physical states?
Heterogeneous system
Le Chatelier’s Principle
If a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change, the position of equilibrium will move to counteract the change imposed
“If a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change, the position of equilibrium will move to counteract he change imposed” - What is this?
Le Chatelier’s Principle
Position of equilibrium
The equilibrium state under a particular set of conditions
What are the factors that affect the position of equilibrium?
- Catalysts (but not really)
- Concentration
- Pressure
- Temperature
What do the following factors all affect - catalyst, concentration, pressure and temperature?
The position of equilibrium
How do catalysts affect the position of equilibrium?
They increase the rates of the forward and backward reactions to the same extent, therefore they have no effect on the position of equilibrium
How does concentration effect the position of equilibrium?
It moves towards what we want more of (the thing that HASN’T increased in concentration)
If we have more reactants than products, how does the position of equilibrium move?
Starts at the left, so moves to the right to form more products
Why does the position of equilibrium move when the individual concentrations of elements are changed in a reaction?
To remove the change
(Reduce this concentration again)
In what type of reactions would the total pressure affect the position of equilibrium?
Gaseous reactions
How do we move the position of equilibrium if the pressure within a system is increased?
Moves it towards the side with the fewest GASEOUS molecules
(Compare the sum of the molecules - big numbers - on both sides)
What do we need to take notice of in order to move the position of equilibrium when the total pressure has changed?
The number of molecules on both sides of the equation (big numbers)
What does a greater number of gas molecules lead to?
A greater pressure
What leads to a greater pressure?
A greater number of gas molecules
Why do we move the position of equilibrium to the side containing the least molecules if the total pressure of a reaction has increased?
As it reduces the amount of molecules in a given volume (i.e - the pressure)
What is increasing the volume the same as doing?
Reducing the pressure
What is reducing the pressure the same as doing?
Increasing the volume
If the volume of a system is increased, what happens to the position of equilibrium and why?
It moves to the side containing the most molecules, as this will increase the pressure
(Increasing the volume is the same as reducing the pressure, so the system needs to try to increase it like this)
Enthalpy change symbol
ΔH
ΔH meaning
enthalpy change
What does the Enthalpy change show?
The value of energy of the forward reaction
Which reaction does the Enthalpy change always show the value of energy for?
Forward reaction
What does a negative Enthalpy change value represent?
An exothermic reaction
What does a positive Enthalpy change value represent?
An endothermic reaction
Exothermic reaction shown as the enthalpy change
Negative value
Endothermic reaction represented by the enthalpy change
Positive value
What do endothermic reactions do and what are they favoured by?
Absorb heat
favoured by increasing the temperature
What do exothermic reaction do and what are they favoured by?
Release heat
Favoured by decreasing the temperature
If the temperature increases in a reaction, what does the position of equilibrium do and why?
Moves it in the direction of the endothermic reaction to reduce it
Why does moving the position of equilibrium towards the endothermic reaction reduce the affect of the change in temperature when it’s increased?
During an endothermic reaction energy is transferred from the surroundings
How do you calculate the concentration of an acid if given its pH?
1- Concentration of H+ ions (protons)
2- Molar ratio
What type of acid is ethanoic acid?
Organic
Which acid is an organic acid?
ethanoic
What type of acids are sulphuric, hydrochloric and nitric acid?
Mineral/inorganic
Which acids are mineral/inorganic?
Sulphuric, hydrochloric and nitric acid
Electrolyte
A substance which will conduct electricity in an aqueous solution (or molten)
What does an electrolyte conduct electricity in?
Aqueous solution or molten
What can’t ions do in a solid?
Move
Strong electrolyte
Is largely dissociated into its ions in aqueous solution
What are largely dissociated into its ions in aqueous solution?
Strong electrolytes
Strong electrolytes examples
Soluble ionic compounds…
1. All salts which are soluble in water
2. Mineral/inorganic acids - sulphuric, hydrochloric and nitric acid
3. Alkalis such as sodium hydroxide
(Aq) meaning
Water molecules surrounding it
Dissociated
Split into its ions in solution
What’s the word for something being split into its ions in solution?
Dissociated
State symbol for water molecules completely surrounding something
(aq)
What is the % of electrolytes split into ions if they’re strong electrolytes? Why?
100%
Completely dissociated into its ions
Monophonic/monobasic
Releases 1 proton
Word for releases 1 proton
Monophonic/monobasic
Diprotic
Releases 2 protons
Word for releases 2 protons
Diprotic
Proton symbol
H+ (aq)
H+ (aq) meaning
Proton
What does every acid, strong or weak, give out?
Protons
What does every kind of itself give out protons?
Acids
Weak electrolyte
Is largely undissociated into its ions in aqueous solution - the degree of dissociation is often less than 1%
What’s the degree of dissociation for weak electrolytes?
Often less than 1%
What’s largely undissociated into its ions in aqueous solution?
Weak electrolytes
Examples of weak electrolytes
- Organic acids (e.g. - ethanoic acids)
- Ammonia (weak base)
- Water
What is ammonia?
A weak base
What does “weak” and “strong” refer to when discussing acids?
The amount of dissociation
Which phrases are used to describe the amount of dissociation in acids?
Weak or strong
Non-electrolytes
Do not conduct electricity and are not dissociated to any appreciable extent into ions in aqueous solution
What do not conduct electricity and aren’t dissociated to any appreciable extent into ion in aqueous solution?
Non-electrolytes
Examples of non-electrolytes
- Sugar
- Ethanol
Lowry-Bronsted theory
An acid is a substance which donates protons in aqueous solution
A base is a substance which accepts protons in aqueous solution
What is an acid? What is this based on?
A substance which donates protons in aqueous solution
Lowry-Bronsted theory
What is a base? What is this based on?
A substance which accepts protons in aqueous solution
Lowry-Bronsted theory
In what type of solution are protons accepted and donated with acids and bases?
Aqueous
What does an acid give out?
A base and a proton
Which substance donates protons in aqueous solution?
Acids
Which substance accepts protons in aqueous solution?
Bases
Can we permanently decide whether a chemical is an acid or a base?
No, only for that particular reaction in which is takes part
Describe strong acids and bases
Almost completely dissociated into their ions
Describe weak acids and bases
Largely undissociated into their ions in aqueous solution
What does the concentration of an acid refer to?
The amount of moles of acid present in a given volume
What is the amount of moles in a given volume if acid?
Its concentration
Concentrated acid
Large amount of moles of the acid present
Dilute acid
Small amount of moles of the acid present
What type of acid has a large amount of moles of the acid in it?
Concentrated
What type of acid has a small amount of moles of the acid present?
Dilute
What could be technically used as an indicator of acidic strength?
Ka - the acid dissociation constant
What can the acid dissociation constant be used as?
An indicator of acidic strength
What’s wrong with using the acid dissociation constant?
The numbers are difficult to handle
What’s easier to follow than using the acid dissociation constant to indicate acidic strength?
Hydrogen ion concentration expressed as pH
What is pH a measure of?
The [H+ (aq)] concentration
pH definition
-log10 [H+ (aq)]
(small 10)
What’s good about the pH scale?
A simple and widely applicable method to measuring the acidity, alkalinity or basicity of a substance in aqueous solution
What’s the pH scale used for?
Measuring the acidity of a substance in aqueous solution
Measuring the alkalinity or basicity of a substance in aqueous solution
What happens as the pH increases by 1 on the pH scale?
Concentration of H+ ions decreases by a factor of 10
(Lower pH —> higher concentration of H+ ions —> more acidic)
Relationship between the amount of H+ ions in an acid and its acidity
Low pH = higher concentration of H+ ions = more acidic
What’s the concentration of H+ ions in low pH levels and what does this mean?
High = more acidic
What can pH be measured using?
pH meter
Universal indicator
Positives of using a pH meter to measure pH
Accuracy - measures to within +-0.01 of a pH
Negatives of using a pH meter to measure pH
Often needs to be calibrated against a solution of known pH before use
Positives of using a universal indicator to measure pH
Paper or solution
Quick and cheap
Negatives of using a universal indicator to measure pH
Not especially accurate