Chemical Equilibrium The state where the concentrations of all reactants and products remain constant with time

How is “equilibrium” different than chemical reactions we have studied so far? For stoichiometry calculations, we assume reaction goes to completion. In calling a compound “soluble,” we assume that ions remain dissociated in water: NaCl + H 2 O  Na + (aq) + Cl - (aq) In a closed vessel, a chemical reaction achieves a state of equilibrium, where concentrations of both reactants and products remain constant over time.

Equilibrium = Dynamic Reactants convert continually to products AND Products continually revert to reactants Due to molecular collisions Forward and reverse RATES are equal

The Equilibrium Expression Given the following reaction at equilibrium: 2A(g) + 3B(g)  2C(g) + 4D(g) This is the equilibrium expression: Keq = [C] 2 [D] 4 [A] 2 [B] 3 Keq is the equilibrium constant. Include concentrations for products or reactants ONLY for gases and aqueous solutions. Liquids and solids are not included because their concentrations do not change.

Most Familiar Equilibrium Example: Water Water molecules split other water molecules into hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions to a small extent. This is called auto-ionization, or self- ionization of water. This reaction is reversible and does not go to completion in the forward direction. It reverses itself after only a few ions are formed. The equilibrium expression for this equation: K w = [H 3 O + ][OH - ]

Most Familiar Equilibrium Example: Water H 2 O   H 3 O + (aq) + OH - (aq) Kw = 1.0 x [OH - ][H 3 O + ] = 1.0 x * Since the K value is so small, this indicates that not very many ions form before the equation reverses itself and begins to form the molecules of water again. In pure water and in aqueous solutions, there are both H + and OH - ACIDS: [H 3 O + ] > [OH - ] BASES: [OH - ] > [H 3 O + ]. *Includes concentrations for products or reactants ONLY for gases and aqueous solutions

Equilibrium Positions At a given temp, there is only one value of K but an infinite number of possible equilibrium positions. Eq. position defined by the concentrations that satisfy the equilibrium expression. Equilibrium position –Depends on initial concentrations (aqueous or gaseous mixtures) –Never depends on amount of pure solid or liquid in the system

Problem: Calculating K At 127º C, [NH 3 ] = 3.1 x M [N 2 ] = 8.5 x M [H 2 ] = 3.1 x M Find K for the Haber process. N 2 (g) + 3H 2 (g)   2NH 3 (g) K = [NH 3 ] 2 = (3.1 x M) 2 [N 2 ][H 2 ] 3 (8.5 x M)(3.1 x M) 3 K = 3.8 x 10 4 (no units)

Problem: Calculating K for Reverse Reaction At 127º C, [NH 3 ] = 3.1 x M [N 2 ] = 8.5 x M [H 2 ] = 3.1 x M Find K for 2NH 3 (g)   N 2 (g) + 3H 2 (g) K’ = [N 2 ][H 2 ] 3 =(8.5 x M)(3.1 x M) 3 [NH 3 ] 2 (3.1 x M) 2 K’ = 2.6 x (no units)

Visualizing Equilibrium Try this activity to see effects of changing concentrations on the equilibrium of a system: LI2004/ERGBN.htm

Important Points about K For a balanced equation, K c : 1.is constant at a given temperature 2.changes if the temperature changes 3.does not depend on initial concentrations K c ’ is the equilibrium constant for the equation written in reverse, and is the reciprocal of K c

Reaction Quotient, Q Is a measure of reaction progess Uses same form as K c Also called mass action expression Concentrations not necessarily at equilibrium Q < K c Forward reaction dominates until equilibrium is achieved Q > K c Reverse reaction dominates until equilibrium is achieved Q = K c System at equilibrium

Application: Using K c to find concentrations PCl 3 (g) + Cl 2 ( g) PCl 5 (g) At a given temp, this reaction occurs in a 1.0-L container with 0.25 mol PCl 5 and 0.16 mol PCl 3. At equilibrium, what is the concentration of Cl 2 ? K c = [PCl 5 ] = 0.25=1.9 [Cl 2 ][PCl 3 ] [Cl 2 ]0.16 [Cl 2 ]=0.25= 0.82 M (0.16)(1.9)

RICE Table A more common application gives initial concentrations and K c and you must find the equilibrium concentrations. Make a table showing the reaction, initial concentrations, change and equilibrium concentrations to solve this problem. You will often need to use the quadratic formula to solve these, so refresh your memory on your calculator.

If K c = 49.0 at a given temp, and mol of each reactant are placed in a 2.0 L container, what concentrations of all species are present at equilibrium for A + B   C + D? [A] o = [B] o = mol/2L = M [C] 0 = [D] 0 = 0 M

RA +BC +D I0.200 M 00 C-X +X E (0.200 –x)M +X M K C = 49.0 = (x)(x) (0.200 –x) (0.200 –x)

A rare occasion without quadratic formula K c = 49.0 = (x)(x) (0.200 –x) (0.200 –x) 7.00 = x/(0.200-x) x = 1.40 – 7.00 x 8.00x = 1.40 X = [A] = [B] = – = M [C] = [D] = M

LeChâtelier’s Principle When a system at equilibrium is disturbed by application of stress, it attains a new equilibrium position that minimizes the stress.  "If stress is applied to a system at equilibrium, the system will tend to readjust so that the stress is reduced."