COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

FEATI UNIVERSITY
HELIOS ST., STA. CRUZ, MANILA, 1003 PH

EXPERIMENT NO. 1

CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM

NAME
COURSE/YEAR
DATE OF SUBMISSION
INSTRUCTOR
 EXPERIMENT NO. 1

CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM
I. OBJECTIVE
1. To determine the factors which can shift equilibrium systems
2. To observe how each of these factors shifts an equilibrium point

II. THEORY
Chemical systems at equilibrium are dynamic states in which the rate of
the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the backward reaction. This
equilibrium state can be disturbed by imposing a stress, be it a change in
concentration, pressure or temperature. Le Chatelier’s Principle states that for a
system at equilibrium, imposition of a stress will cause the equilibrium to shift so
as to minimize the stress, ultimately reestablishing the equilibrium. In this
experiment, the equilibrium system is represented by the reversible reaction.
The equilibrium shift (whether the equilibrium moves forward or
backward) is determined by the intensity of the blood red color mixture. If the
mixture becomes darker than the color standard, then the reaction must have
shifted forward i.e., more of the intensely colored product was formed. If the
mixture becomes comparatively lighter, then it must have shifted backward,
forming the less intensely colored reactants.

III. DISCUSSION
When two reactants react together to form a product, it is not usually an
instantaneous process. As time progresses, the concentration of the product
increases and when it becomes too concentrated, the reactants may form back, and
the reaction becomes reversible. These kinds of reactions are considered to be in
the state of equilibrium.
Equilibrium is a state where the continuous formation of the reactants and
the product will eventually become equal as the reaction progresses, that is, it is
constant in time and space. Chemical reactions, particularly reversible reactions,
have the tendency to alter its conditions to achieve equilibrium. At this chemical
equilibrium, the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equal. Furthermore,
the concentrations of the products and reactants remain constant.
Le Chatelier’s principle is used to predict the direction or shift of the
equilibrium position when stress such as change in concentration, pressure,
volume, or temperature occurs in the reaction.
This experiment will determine how various factors called stress,
according to Le Chatelier’s Principle being introduced in a system at equilibrium

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 can alter the system’s equilibrium position by shifting in direction to relieve the
effect of the stress.

IV. MATERIALS
Below is a table of chemistry lab materials used in the experiment.
Quantity Unit Material Name
6 pcs Test tube
1 pc Beaker
1 pc Tongs
1 pc Rack
1 pc Graduated Cylinders
1 pc Droppers
1 pc Pipettes
1 pc Burner
This is the table of reagents used for the experiment.

Quantity Unit Material Name

90 drops Water
30 drops Mix
20 drops 0.1M Fe(NO3)3
20 drops 0.1M KSCN
1 pinch NaCl
1 cup Ice

V. PROCEDURE: (Refer to the lab manual)

VI. DATA AND RESULTS

TEST TUBE REAGENT STRESS APPLIED DIRECTION

NUMBER OBSERVATION
S OF SHIFT
1 Change in Volume Backward (to
Mix Same
the left)
2 0.1 M Change in Volume Forward (to the
Darker
Fe(NO)3 right)
3 0.1 M Change in Volume Forward (to
Lighter
KSCN the right)
4 One pinch Lighter (cloudy Change in Volume Backward (to
of NaCl white) the left)
5 Increase in Change in Temperature Backward (to the
Lighter
temp. left)
6 Decrease in Change in Temperature Backward (to the
Lighter
temp. left)

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VII. EXPLANATION OF RESULTS

The experiment involved taking note of changes in color, appearance, and

reactions of the solutions made from different reagents. Following the procedures
carefully and adding the precise amounts of reagents and solutions should be
observed as inaccurate amounts may affect the reactions.
In the experiment, the prepared solution consists of 30 drops of Fe(NO3)3
(orange) and 20 drops of KCNS- (colorless) dissolved in 30 drops of water. After
the solute had completely dissolved, a dark red mixture was obtained. The
reaction is:
Fe3+ + CNS- ↔ FeCNS2+.
In test tube #1, 30 drops of H2O was added. There are no observable
change in color of the solution. Test tube 1 served as the reference for comparison
of color changes to other solutions.
In test tube #2, 20 drops of 0.1 M Fe(NO3)3 was added to 20 drops of the
solution, producing a darker hue in comparison to test tube 1.
In test tube #3, the addition of 20 drops of 0.1 M KCNS in the 5mL of the
solution produced a darker color that also means a higher concentration in the
reactant. There is a forward shift towards the product to attain equilibrium.
In test tube #4, a pinch of NaF was added producing a lighter colored
solution that caused a backward shift. In addition to this, a cloudy white solution.
The reaction is described by the equation:
NaF + Fe- + SCN- ---> FeF3+ + NaSCN.
The formation of FeF3+ increased the solubility of NaF.
Heating test tube #5 containing 20 drops of the solution resulted in a
solution of a lighter color, indicating a backward shift.
Placing test tube #6 containing 20 drops of the solution in an ice bath
produced a darker color of solution, indicating a forward shift. The changes in
color accounts for the direction of shift in line with the Le Chatelier’s Principle,
which states that when changes in condition are applied to change the current
state of equilibrium, then the position of equilibrium shifts to a direction that will
neutralize the change. Therefore, when there is a backward shift, the direction is
from the product(s) to the reactants, and vice versa.

VIII. COMPUTATION/CALCULATIONS

IX. QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

Below is the hypothetical reaction which is at equilibrium.

A(g) + 2B  AB2(g) + heat

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 STRESS APPLIES EQUILIBRIUM SHIFT
1. Adding AB2 at constant volume Backward
2. Adding more A Forward
3. Increasing the temperature Backward
4. Removing some B Backward
5. Removing some AB2 but the Forward
removal is carried out in an open
container

X. CONCLUSION
Chemical equilibrium occurs in a chemical reaction when the reactions on
both sides, the reactant side as well as in the product side have equal
concentration at the same rate. The experiment showed how changes in
concentration and temperature affect the direction of equilibrium.
The Le Chatelier’s principle states that if stress is applied to a system at
equilibrium, the equilibrium will tend to shift in the direction which will
use up the excess substance and relieve the applied stress. There are factors that
may influence the shift, such as concentration, temperature and pressure.
This shift in direction may be observed through changes in color, appearance and
reactions that may be involved.
Moreover, the same principle is applied when there is a change in the
temperature since heat is treated as either an agent which may be added in the
product or in the reactant side.
It is recommended to extend the experiment further so as to discover more
factors that are capable of shifting the direction of reaction and to be able to
determine what reagents should be added in a solution to cause a particular shift
of direction.
It is recommended that the exact amount and molarity of each reagent
must be carefully followed in order to avoid discrepancies of the experimental
results and the expected findings.
It is also recommended to extend the experiment further so as to discover
more factors that are capable of shifting the direction of reaction and to be able to
determine what reagents should be added in a solution to cause a particular shift
of direction.