Chemical Equilibrium

 Heterogeneous and homogeneous

equilibrium

 Law of Mass Action

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Equilibrium reactions can be
categorized as falling into 1 of 3
types:
1)Phase Equilibrium
2)Solution Equilibrium
3)Chemical Equilibrium
Chemical Equilibrium reactions can be
further categorized as either
1) Homogeneous or
2) Heterogeneous
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 Types of Equilibrium

A homogeneous equilibrium is one in

which the states of matter for all
reactants and products are the same
Example: H2(g) + I2(g)  2HI(g)

A heterogeneous equilibrium is one in

which the states of matter vary
between reactants and products
Example: C(s) + O2(g)  CO2(g) 3
 Phase Equilibrium
Phase equilibrium exists between two phases of
matter (S, L, G) usually in a closed vessel. They
are easily recognizable:

1) H2O(s) ↔ H2O(l) ice – water equilibrium (0°C)

2) H2O (l) ↔ H2O(g) Water – Vapor equilibrium

3) I2 (s) ↔ I2 (g) Iodine sublimation

DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM

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Phase Equilibrium

DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM

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 Solution Equilibrium
Solution equilibriums are created when
additional solid is added to an already
saturated solution
For a solid in a saturated solution at
equilibrium:

The rate of
re-crystallization
must equal
rate of (Saturated sol’n)

dissolution 6
 Solution Equilibrium
The equilibrium for NaCl can be written as:

NaCl (s) + H20 ↔ Na+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)

If the solid is molecular (e.g. sugar) the

equilibrium condition would be defined as :

C12H23O11 (s) + H20 ↔ C12H23O11 (aq)

Notice there are No IONS formed for

molecular compounds. 7
 Solution Equilibrium
For GASES dissolved in Liquids in a SEALED
system, the rate at which the gas leaves the
liquid and the rate at which the gas re-
dissolves must be equal to be in equilibrium.

O2 (aq) ↔ O2 (g) Why a sealed system?

But this equilibrium can be affected by T
and P shifts
WHY ?

if T increases the equilibrium shifts right 

if P increases the equilibrium shifts left 
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Chemical Equilibrium

The state where the concentrations

of all reactants and products remain
constant with time.

On the molecular level, there is

frantic activity. Equilibrium is not
static, but is a highly dynamic
situation.
Chemical Equilibrium
The Law of Mass Action
For
jA + kB  lC + mD
The law of mass action is
represented by the equilibrium
expression:
l m
C D
K j k
A B
THE EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANT

CaCO3 (s) CaO (s) + CO2 (g)

Keq = [CO2]

The concentrations of pure liquids or

solids involved in a reaction are not
included in the expression of Keq,
since the concentration of such
substances remains constant so long
as any amount of them is present.
THE EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANT

Includes: gases (g) and aqueous

substances (aq)

Does not include: solids (s) and

liquids (l)
CaCO3 (s) CaO (s) + CO2 (g)

Keq = [CO2]
Example

Write the equilibrium expression

for:
1. NO(g)+Br2(g)↔NOBr(g)

2. C(s) + S(g) ↔ CS2(g)

Calculating the Equilibrium Constant

1. Balance the equation

2. Write the equilibrium expression

(mass-action expression)

3. Substitute the equilibrium

concentrations

4. Do the math!
THE EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANT IN
GENERAL
 If K > 1 the reaction is proceeding
toward products (equil. Lies to
the right)

 If K<1 the reaction is barely

started, (equil. Lies to the Left)

 If K = 1 both Product and

Reactant are present at Equil.
 Le Chatelier’s Principle
Describes how a system at Henri Le Chatlier
equilibrium reacts to changes 1850-1936)

(stresses) in system conditions

If a change is imposed on a system at

equilibrium, then the system will shift
the direction of the reaction to
reduce the change in conditions.

In other words, when a stress is

imposed on a system the system will
respond to counteract the stress
“For every action, there is an opposite
action.”
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Effects of Changes on the System
 1.Concentration: The system
will shift away from the added
component.

 2.Temperature: K will change

depending upon the
temperature (treat the energy
change as a reactant).
N2 + 3H2 ↔ 2NH3
Effects of Changes on the System
 3. Pressure:

a. Addition of inert gas does

not affect the equilibrium
position.

b. Decreasing the volume

shifts the equilibrium toward the
side with fewer moles.