School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering and Sciences

3rd Quarter S.Y. 2021-2022

Paper No 1.3

Equilibrium

Submitted by:
Group No. 3

Garcia, Nichell Hann C. (Leader)

Members:
Alfaro, Erica Mae B.
Cordero, Mark Lemuel R.
Salamanca, Joash B.

Submitted to:

Engr. Elizabeth S. Espiritu

CM011L B10
 School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering and Sciences
3rd Quarter S.Y. 2021-2022

1. INTRODUCTION

A. Background

Equilibrium is the state of a reversible process where both forward and reverse reactions
occur at approximately equal rates. While the system is in this situation, the concentrations of
reactants and products are stable and do not change over time. As a result, there are no net
changes in the attention of reactant(s) or product because of the reaction (s). The phrase
"dynamic equilibrium" is used to characterize such conditions. It's a specific example of a system
that's attained a steady state.

The researchers used many ways to find the chemical equilibrium for our methodology in
this experiment. The equations and theories of equilibrium reactions, the equilibrium constant,
and reaction quotients are all discussed in the results and discussion. The group also determines
and distinguishes the three processes' chemical conditions. The Haber process may also be seen
in the production of ammonia. Finally, the reader will be able to comprehend the results of how
the experiment was operated.

B. Objective(s)

1. Identify the factors that affect chemical equilibrium.

2. Assess the directivity of reversible reactions using Le Chatelier's theory of reaction

directionality.

3. Calculate the equilibrium constant and reaction quotient in the given situation.

2. METHODOLOGY
1. Laboratory Situation Introduction

Upon entering the Laboratory, the situation was explained by the scientist stating that the
nitrogen supply would become depleted in the near future which would greatly affect the
plants. Due to the futuristic perfective of a global crisis, the plants would die given the
atmosphere that is depleted. With this, the experiment is focused on understanding the
production of nitrogen through harvesting from using nitrogen as fertilizers which can be done
through the generation of ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen. Afterward, the issue was
discussed with the members of the group stating that due to the conversion of ammonia to
N2H2, the rate of yields is low.

With this, the laboratory scientist had provided the needed materials on the table containing
Dinitrogen tetraoxide in a syringe. A conversion between N2O4 to NO2 was made as shown
in the balanced equation below.

N2O4 (g) - 2NO2 (g)

 School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering and Sciences
3rd Quarter S.Y. 2021-2022

2. Contents of the mixture present in the syringe

Figure 1. Content of Syringe

Figure 2. Merge of Syringe

The color blue represents nitrogen while red represents hydrogen. Through the visuals, we
can see the continuous conversion of N2O4 to NO2 then this process repeats itself.

3. Understanding the conversion of N2O4 to NO2 and vice versa.

Based on the group’s observation, the concentrations of N2O4 and NO2 have visible
differences, where N2O4 is and remains transparent while NO2 stays as is. SHowing that the
equality of the reactants does not affect the stability and concentrations of the reactant.

Upon calculating Kc:

N2O4 - 2NO2

Kc = Products/Reactants = NO2^2/N2O4
 School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering and Sciences
3rd Quarter S.Y. 2021-2022

Shows that the Kc >> 1 mostly contains products and Kc << 1 mostly contains reactants.

4. Balancing the equilibrium

With the guidance of the Laboratory assistant, the group was directed to place the syringe in
the liquid nitrogen, then place it once more in the boiling water. While adjusting the pressure
on the plunger, the group was asked to monitor the concentration status of both N2O4 and
NO2.

Figure 3. Table with Experiment

5. Differences in temperatures and pressure

At the temperature with the syringe in liquid nitrogen of -196 C (NO2 to N2O4), the group
observed that the change in the syringe’s color occurs where it became transparent. This
shows that the present reactions are lower than 1 in the mixture of Kc. On the other hand,
when the syringe is placed on boiling water, the color of the mixture turns back to the original
brown color. This shows that N2O4 converts back to NO2.

Furthermore, the group is given another task where the syringe is placed on a holder where
the cap applies the pressure to the syringe. Upon increasing the pressure, the concentration
levels of N2O4 and NO2 increase their gas rate given that the molecules have little space
resulting to a smaller amount of volume. With this, the increase of pressure founds an
equilibrium where the reactant is lower than the product.

N2O4 (g) - 2NO2 (g)

Once the pressure was released, the color changes from a solid one to a pale color and
later on returns to its original color showing a renewed equilibrium.
 School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering and Sciences
3rd Quarter S.Y. 2021-2022

6. Haber Process
The group was asked to assemble the needed apparatus for the reactants to flow, the group
placed the combustion tube at the area above the torch. Afterward, the switches for the gasses
were turned on (Nitrogen and Hydrogen).

Figure 4. Haber Process

Based on the Haber Process by the group, the task was to shift the equilibrium to the left,
producing NH3 and H2. Observing that the N2 remains stable at room temperature, the
conversion’s speed is affected. In order to speed up the conversion process, the steel wool is
used as a catalyst which increases the rate at the reaction to the equilibrium

3. Discussion of Results

The experiment uses qualitative data since inferences are made from the concentration-time
graph, concentration comparisons, and the concepts of Le Chatelier's principle, equilibrium
constant, and equilibrium quotient. There are no exact values that used in the computations. The
experiment already has some numerical data that was being used to make a conclusion by
associating them to the concepts. The experiment might be more precise when numerical values
are used at certain points along with the concentration-time graph.
 School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering and Sciences
3rd Quarter S.Y. 2021-2022

Table No. 1 Experimental Conditions Summary

Table No. 2 Production of Ammonia through the Haber Process from Nitrogen and
Hydrogen gas.

1.1.Equations and theories

1.1.1. Equilibrium Reactions

𝒂𝑨 + 𝒃𝑩 ↔ 𝒄𝑪 + 𝒅𝑫
(1.2) 𝑁2 𝑂4 (𝑔) ↔ 2𝑁𝑂4 (𝑔)
(1.3) 𝑁2 (𝑔) + 3𝐻2 (𝑔) ↔ 2𝑁𝐻3 (𝑔)

1.1.2. Equilibrium Constant

[𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑠] [𝐶]𝐶 [𝐷]𝑑
𝐾𝑐 = [𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠] = [𝐴]𝑎 [𝐵]𝑏
𝐾𝑐 ≫ 1 Mixture contains mostly products
𝐾𝑐 ≪ 1 Mixture contains mostly reactants

1.1.3. Equilibrium Quotient

[𝐶]𝑐𝑡 [𝐷]𝑑
𝑡
𝑄=
[𝐴]𝑎 𝑏
𝑡 [𝐵]𝑡
𝑄 > 𝐾𝑐 Reaction forms reactants

𝑄 < 𝐾𝑐 Reaction forms products

𝑄 ≡ 𝐾𝑐 Equilibrium

1.2. Experimental Conditions of 𝑁2 𝑂4 (𝑔) ↔ 2𝑁𝑂2 (𝑔)

1.2.1. Chemical reaction of 𝑁2 𝑂4 (𝑔) ↔ 2𝑁𝑂2 (𝑔) at equilibrium
 School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering and Sciences
3rd Quarter S.Y. 2021-2022

Figure 5. Initial concentration of 𝑁2 𝑂4 and 𝑁𝑂2 at equilibrium

The initial concentrations of 𝑁2 𝑂4 and 𝑁𝑂2 remain constant or do not change in equilibrium. The
[𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑠] [𝑁𝑂2 ]2
equilibrium constant, 𝐾𝑐 is calculated using the equation 𝐾𝑐 = = , the computed
[𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠] [𝑁2 𝑂4 ]′
𝐾𝑐 = 4.6 × 10−3, that means 𝐾𝑐 < 1. Moreover, there are even more reactants than the products
as well [𝑁2 𝑂4 ] > [𝑁𝑂2 ]

1.2.2. Syringe into liquid nitrogen

Figure 5. The concentration of 𝑁2𝑂4 and 𝑁𝑂2 when a syringe is in liquid nitrogen

The graphs show an increase in the concentration of dinitrogen tetroxide 𝑁2 𝑂4 and a decrease in
the concentration of nitrogen dioxide 𝑁𝑂2 . It implies that the majority of 𝑁𝑂2 is changed to 𝑁2 𝑂4 .
Because there are more reactants than products, the equilibrium constant, or 𝐾𝑐 , is less than one.
 School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering and Sciences
3rd Quarter S.Y. 2021-2022

Due to the increased concentration of dinitrogen tetroxide 𝑁2 𝑂4 , the color will be translucent or
colorless, as dinitrogen tetroxide 𝑁2 𝑂4 is colorless and nitrogen dioxide 𝑁𝑂2 is brown. The
chemical reaction may also be written as 𝑁2 𝑂4 (𝑔) + ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 ↔ 2𝑁𝑂2 (𝑔), with the reactants
benefiting from an endothermic reaction. According to Le Chatelier's principle, the equilibrium of
an endothermic reaction changes to the right at high temperatures and the left at low
temperatures. As a result, when the mixture comes back to room temperature (temperature rise).
A portion of the dinitrogen tetroxide 𝑁2 𝑂4 will be converted as nitrogen dioxide 𝑁𝑂2 .

1.2.3. Syringe into boiling water

Figure 6. The concentration of 𝑁2 𝑂4 and 𝑁𝑂2 when a syringe is in boiling water.

The graph for this experimental condition is opposite from the graph for the condition in which the
syringe is in liquid nitrogen. The majority of 𝑁2 𝑂4 is changed to 𝑁𝑂2 . The equilibrium of the forward
reaction moves to the right. This is because boiling water has a high temperature, and in an
endothermic reaction, it moves to the right as the temperature increases. Because the
concentration of the product 𝑁𝑂2 is greater than that of the reactant 𝑁2 𝑂4 , then 𝐾𝑐 ≫ 1. 𝑁𝑂2 is
transformed back to 𝑁2 𝑂4 after the syringe is cooled to room temperature.

1.2.4. Plunger of syringe pressed to adjust the pressure.

 School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering and Sciences
3rd Quarter S.Y. 2021-2022

Figure 7. Concentration of 𝑁2 𝑂4 and 𝑁𝑂2 when plunger of syringe pressed to adjust the
pressure.

As shown on the graph, both gases' concentrations increased. It implies that the color will become
more vivid as the volume decreases. However, the color will remain paler since the reactants
remain at a higher concentration, even though the concentrations of both gases have increased.
A new equilibrium is established with increasing pressure, and the equilibrium moves to the left.
At high pressure, the equilibrium changes to the molecule-less side. The reactant side has fewer
molecules than the product side in the given chemical equation 𝑁2 𝑂4 (𝑔) ↔ 2𝑁𝑂2 (𝑔), where the
reactant side contains one molecule, and the product side contains two molecules. When the
plunger is pulled, the concentrations of both gases instantly fall and revert to their original
equilibrium. This implies that the color within the syringe will fade to pale and then return to darker
again.

1.3. Production of ammonia through the Haber Process 𝑁2 (𝑔) + 3𝐻2 (𝑔) ↔ 2𝑁𝐻3 (𝑔)
 School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering and Sciences
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Figure 8. Haber Process

The Haber process is a fixation process that produces nitrogen and hydrogen gas to ammonia.
Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch invented the process. This is done at high temperature/pressure
conditions. Ammonia stains the indicator pink. Ammonia was successfully synthesized from
hydrogen and nitrogen gas.

The Haber process is exothermic, which means that heat is included in the chemical equation
𝑁2 (𝑔) + 3𝐻3 (𝑔) ↔ 2𝑁𝐻3 (𝑔) + ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡. While heating the reaction using a Bunsen burner, the
equilibrium changed to the reactant side or left side. However, when 𝑁2 is at room temperature,
the conversion to 𝑁𝐻3 is slow.

As a result, steel wool was used as a catalyst. A catalyst speeds both forward and backward
reactions while not affecting equilibrium shifting. While the given catalyst performs better at higher
temperatures, the reaction is exothermic, resulting in slow ammonia production. Pressure can be
used to compensate for this by shifting the equilibrium to the product side. The pressure was
raised to shift the equilibrium to the product side, with only three moles compared to the reactant
side's four. According to our Le Chatelier, when pressure increases, the equilibrium changes to
the product side (ammonia, 𝑁𝐻3).

The forward reaction is preferred if the reactant concentration is larger than the product
concentration, producing more on the product side. This is done by continuously removing 𝑁𝐻3
and maintaining a higher concentration of reactants.

4. CONCLUSION

The principle goal of this experiment is to increase fertilizer production in significant quantities by
tackling equilibrium and reversible reactions. We knew that in equilibrium, the reactant and
product concentrations remain constant. thus, we could increase production if the right-hand side
of the equation, or the product side, is favored. Temperature, concentration, and pressure were
among the variables studied. The two experimental settings submerge the syringe in liquid
nitrogen at -196 °C and dip it in boiling water at 100 °C. According to the findings, heat is
considered a product in exothermic processes (N2O4 (g) 2NO2 (g) + heat) and increasing the
temperature shifts the equilibrium to the reactant side while decreasing the temperature changes
the equilibrium to the product side. In contrast, heat is considered as a reactant in endothermic
processes (N2O4 (g) + heat 2NO2 (g)) because increasing the temperature shifts the equilibrium
to the product side, while decreasing the temperature shifts the equilibrium to the reactant side.
The other experimental condition is to press the plunger to change the mixture's pressure. It was
discovered that in high-pressure situations, the back reaction is favored. Increasing the force does
not affect the value of Kc, but it shifts the equilibrium to the left. However, it preferred the reverse
reaction since increasing the pressure shifts to the side with fewer molecules, which in this case
is the reactant side. Furthermore, the concentration of both gases rises quickly after the plunger
is depressed.

The Haber process is used at the end of the experiment to make ammonia exothermic. The
direction of the equilibrium is changed to the left by heating the reaction chamber with the Bunsen
 School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering and Sciences
3rd Quarter S.Y. 2021-2022

burner. The Haber process creates fertilizer by fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere. Steel wood
is employed as a catalyst to accelerate the rate at which the reaction attains equilibrium. Catalysts
increase the forwarding and reverse reactions rate but do not affect the equilibrium position.
Nonetheless, the catalyst used in the Haber process performs best at elevated temperatures,
necessitating the heating of the combustion tube.