CHEM 128 ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR BIOLOGY

EXERCISE #3: REVERSIBLE REACTIONS AND CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM

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1. Define equilibrium. Give two examples of a dynamic equilibrium.

Equilibrium is a state in which there are no observable changes as time goes by.
1. NO2(g) + CO(g) ⇌ NO(g) + CO2(g) 
2. NaCl(s) ⇄ Na⁺(aq) + Cl (aq)

2. Explain the difference between physical equilibrium and chemical equilibrium. Give two
examples of each.
Chemical equilibrium is the state in which the concentrations of reactants and products do not
change with time, whereas physical equilibrium is the state in which the physical state of the
system does not change.
Chemical Equilibrium: Physical Equilibrium:
1. N₂O₂(g)⇄ 2NO₂(g) 1.I₂(S) ⇄ I₂ (vapor)
2. CO₂(g)+H₂O(I)⇄ H₂CO₂(aq) 2.H₂O(I) ⇄ H₂O (g)

3. What is the law of mass action?

At constant temperature, the frequency of a chemical reaction is proportional to the active
masses of reacting components, according to the mass action law. The value of the
equilibrium constant expression, Kc, is constant for a given reaction at equilibrium and at a
constant temperature.

4. Define homogeneous equilibrium and heterogeneous equilibrium. Give two examples of each.
Homogeneous equilibrium: All reactants and products are in the same phase
1. N2(g)+H2(g)⇌NH3(g)
2. N2(g)+O2(g) ⇌NO2(g)

Heterogeneous equilibrium: All reactant and products are not in same phase
1. H2O(g)+C(s)⇌H2(g)+CO2(g)
2. CaCO3(s)⇌CaO(s)+CO2(g)

5. Write equilibrium constant expressions for Kc for the following processes:

a. HCOOH(aq)  H+(aq) + HCOO-(aq)

b. C6H5COOH(aq) C6H5COO-(aq) + H+(aq)

 6. The following diagrams represent the equilibrium state for three different reactions of the type
A + X  AX (X = B, C, or D):

(a) Which reaction has the largest equilibrium constant?

A + C ⇄ AC

(b) Which reaction has the smallest equilibrium constant?

A + D ⇄ AD

7. What is the rule for writing the equilibrium constant for the overall reaction involving two or
more reactions?

Kc= K’c · K’’c.

The equilibrium constant for overall reaction is given by the product of the equilibrium
constant for the individual reaction.

8. A reaction vessel contains NH3, N2, and H2 at equilibrium at a certain temperature. The
equilibrium concentrations are [NH3] = 0.25 M, [N2] = 0.11 M, and [H2] = 1.91 M. Calculate the
equilibrium constant Kc for the synthesis of ammonia if the reaction is represented as
N2(g) + 3H2(g)  2NH3(g)
0.08

9. The equilibrium constant Kc for the reaction

I2(g)  2I(g)
is 3.8 x 1025 at 727°C. Calculate Kc for the equilibrium
2I(g)  I2(g)
at the same temperature.
 10. The following equilibrium constants have been determined for hydrosulfuric acid at 25°C:
H2S(aq)  H+(aq) + HS-(aq) Kc = 9.5 x 1028
HS-(aq)  H+(aq) + S2-(aq) Kc = 1.0 x 10-19
Calculate the equilibrium constant for the following reaction at the same temperature:
H2S(aq)  2H+(aq) + S2-(aq)

9.5 x 109

11. For the synthesis of ammonia

N2(g) + 3H2(g)  2NH3(g)

the equilibrium constant Kc at 375°C is 1.2. Starting with [H2]0 = 0.76 M, [N2]0 = 0.60 M, and
[NH3]0 = 0.48 M, which gases will have increased in concentration and which will have decreased
in concentration when the mixture comes to equilibrium?
0.87
NH3 increases while both N2 and H2 decrease.

12. Consider the following equilibrium system involving SO 2, Cl2, and SO2Cl2 (sulfuryl dichloride):

SO2(g) + Cl2(g)  SO2Cl2(g)

Predict how the equilibrium position would change if

(a) Cl2 gas were added to the system; a shift to the right
(b) SO2Cl2 were removed from the system; a shift to the right
(c) SO2 were removed from the system. a shift to the left
The temperature remains constant.