Cobalt Chloride Equilibrium

Introduction
In this investigation, you will examine the equilibrium system represented by the following net ionic equation:
Co(H2O)62+(aq) + 4Cl–(aq) ⇌ CoCl42–(aq) + 6H2O(l)
Pink Blue
An advantage of using this reaction is that hydrated cobalt ion is pink while the cobalt chloride ion is blue. As
you know from studying Le Chatelier’s Principle, the position of the equilibrium is affected by a change in
temperature. You will heat the test tube and determine if the reaction will shift left or right, creating more
reactants or products, respectively.
Safety
The hydrochloric acid in the test tubes is concentrated and is dangerous to your eyes. The stoppers in the test
tubes could come off in an accident, so you will need to wear safety goggles at all times.
Procedure
1. Place the test tube in a 100 mL beaker. Add tap water to approximately the 80 mL line.
2. Place the thermometer inside the beaker.
3. Carefully place the beaker containing the test tube and thermometer on the hot plate.
4. While the water is heating, watch the thermometer and the color of the solution in the tube.
5. Allow the water to heat up to 60 °C. Record color of solution:
6. Ask your teacher to carefully remove the beaker from the hot plate and place it back on the white paper.
7. Allow the beaker and its contents to cool. Speed up this process by removing small amounts of hot water
with a pipet and replacing the hot water with cold water. Record color of the test tube:
Questions
1. Adding heat to the reaction caused the equilibrium to shift to the .
2. Is the reaction endothermic or exothermic? Explain how the evidence supports this conclusion.

3. Is ∆H positive or negative?

4. Rewrite the reaction adding the word heat to the reaction. Be sure to place the word heat on the correct side
of the equation.

5. When heat is added to the reaction, the equilibrium shifts to the . Therefore, the
concentration of the reactants , while the concentration of the products .
Consequently, the value of the equilibrium constant, Keq, .
6. Write the expression for the equilibrium constant, Keq, for the reaction (do not include heat).