CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM
Chemical equilibrium can be defined as the state where
there is no observable change in the properties of a system
with respect to time. For example, in a saturated solution of
sodium chloride, there is no observable change in the
properties of the system, because the slat dissolves in water
until some salt is left undissolved in the solution. In this
system at any given moment, undissolved salt particles are
dissolving, while the same number of dissolved salt particles
are precipitating. Here, two opposing processes (dissolution
and precipitation) are taking place at the same rate. As a
result, the net number of dissolved particles in the solution
remains the same.
In chemical equilibrium, the reactants undergo a
change in the composition to form the products, while in
turn, are reconverted to the original reactants at the same
rate.
Equilibrium in Reversible Reactions
A reversible reaction is one which can be made to proceed
in either directions under suitable conditions. Reversible
reaction is denoted by the symbol ⇌ between reactants and
products. e.g.
N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g)
N2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2NO(g)
Dynamic Equilibrium
A reversible reaction is in dynamic equilibrium when both
the forward and the backward reactions are occurring at the
same rate, thereby producing no net change in the
concentrations of the reactants or products.
Note: a reversible reaction can only attain dynamic
equilibrium in a closed system.
Le Chatellier’s Principle
Le Chatellier’s principle states that if an external constraint
such as a change in temperature, pressure or concentration,
is imposed on a chemical system in equilibrium, the
equilibrium will shift so as to annul or neutralize the
constraint.
The importance of this principle is appreciated in the
chemical industry. It helps to:
 Define the optimum conditions for chemical processes
employed in industry
 Reduced undesirable reversibility
 Predict the effect of an altered factor on the equilibrium
position of an untried reaction
FACTORS AFFECTING EQUILIBRIUM
The factors affecting equilibrium position are temperature,
pressure and concentration of the reactants and products.
catalyst do not change the position of equilibrium but it
affects the rate of reactions equally in both directions.
Written by Mibvase
Effect of Change in Temperature
If a chemical system is in equilibrium and the temperature
is altered, according to Le Chatellier’s principle, the
equilibrium position will shift to annul the effect of the
temperature.
In the following reversible reaction below, the forward
reaction is endothermic.
N2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2NO(g) (ΔH=+90.4 kJ⋅mol−1)
 Increase in temperature will favour forward reaction
 Decrease in temperature will favour backward reaction
In the reaction below, the forward reaction is exothermic
2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g) (ΔH= -3395.7 kJ⋅mol−1)
 Increase in temperature will favour backward reaction
 Decrease in temperature will favour forward reaction
Generally, according to Le Chatellier’s principle, the
forward reaction in an exothermic system is favoured by
lowering the temperature, while the forward reaction of an
endothermic reaction is favoured by raising the temperature.
Effect of Change in Pressure
According to Le Chatellier’s principle, if a high pressure is
applied to an equilibrium system, the reaction which
involves a reduction in pressure will be favoured.
Conversely, if low pressure is imposed on an equilibrium
system, then the reaction which results in an increase in
pressure will be favoured.
For a change in pressure to affect a chemical system in
equilibrium,
 One of the reactants or products in the reversible reaction
must be gaseous
 The total number of moles of gaseous molecules on the
left side of the equation must be different from the total
number of moles of gaseous molecules on the right side.
Effect of Change in Concentration
In an equilibrium mixture, there is a balance between the
concentrations of the reactants and the products. therefore,
if reactants or products are introduced into the equilibrium
system, the balance will be upset. This implies that an
increase in the concentration of the reactants will cause the
equilibrium constant to shift to the right favouring the
forward reaction and also, an increase in the concentration
of the product will cause the equilibrium constant to shit to
the left favouring the backward reaction.
Increasing the forward reaction in an equilibrium system can
be achieved by:
 Increasing the concentration of the reactants in the
system
 Continually removing the products formed from the
system (i.e., reducing the concentration of the products)
thereby causing increase in the concentration of the
reactants in the system.
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