Habib Public School

Chemistry class-X

Unit :09

Chemical Equilibrium

Chemistry Class-X Page 1

SLO # 9.1.1: Define chemical equilibrium in terms of a reversible reaction.

• A reversible reaction is a chemical reaction where the reactants form products that, in turn, react together to
give the reactants back. Reversible reactions will reach an equilibrium point where the concentrations of the
reactants and products will no longer change because forward and backward reaction take place with same rate.

SLO # 9.1.2: Define the term ‘dynamic equilibrium’.

• A dynamic equilibrium is a chemical equilibrium between a forward reaction and the reverse reaction where
the rate of the reactions are equal but in opposite directions.

SLO # 9.1.3: Show both forward and reverse reactions using chemical equations.

SLO # 9.1.4: Describe the macroscopic characteristics of:

a. forward and reverse reactions, b. dynamic equilibrium

• The macroscopic properties are the visible properties that we can see at constant conditions.

a)Macroscopic properties of Forward Reaction

i. It is a reaction in which reactants react to form products.

ii. It takes place from left to right.

iii. At initial stage the rate of forward reaction is very fast.

iv. It slows down gradually.

macroscopic properties of backward or Reverse Reaction

i. It is a reaction in which products react to produce reactants.

ii. It takes place from right to left.

iii. In the beginning rate of reverse reaction is negligible.

iv. It speeds up gradually.

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b) Macroscopic properties of Dynamic equilibrium

• Equilibrium is achievable only in a closed system (in which substances can neither leave nor enter)
• At equilibrium state a reaction does not stop. Forward and reverse reactions are taking place at the same rate but in
opposite directions.
• At equilibrium state, the amount (concentration) of reactants and products do not change. Even physical properties
like color density, etc. remain the same.
• An equilibrium state is attainable from either way, i.e. starting from reactants or from products.
• An equilibrium state can be disturbed by change in concentration, pressure or temperature but at the end again
equilibrium is achieved.

SLO # 9.2.1: State the law of mass action.

SLO # 9.2.2: Differentiate between exothermic and endothermic reactions with examples.

S.n Exothermic reaction Endothermic reaction

o
1 The reaction in which energy is release during The reaction in which energy is absorbed to
the conversion of reactant into product is called convert reactant into product is called
exothermic reaction endothermic reaction
2 More energy is released when the products were less energy is released when the products were
formed than the energy was used to break the formed than the energy was used to break the
bond in reactant bond in reactant
3 Temperature of surrounding increases as energy Temperature of surrounding decrease as energy
is being released to the surroundings is being absorbed by the surroundings
4 It is represented by negative enthalpy value It is represented by positive enthalpy value
5 Examples Examples
combustion reaction Decomposition
Neutralization Photosynthesis
Addition Melting of ice
Respiration
dispalcement

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SLO # 9.2.3: Draw an energy profile diagram for exothermic and endothermic reactions.

Exothermic reaction

Endothermic reaction

Note: amount of energy required to convert reactant into product is called activation energy.

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SLO # 9.3.1: Derive an expression for the equilibrium constant and its units.

Consider the given reaction at equilibrium.

Keeping the constants and concentration separate

Or

SLO # 9.3.2: Determine the equilibrium constant expression of a reaction and its unit.

• Examples:

N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇄ 2NH3(g)

[NH3 ]2
Kc =
[N 2 ][H 2 ]3

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Write the equilibrium constant expression for each reaction.
S.No Chemical reaction Equilibrium constant exprassion Unit of equilibrium constant
1
2SO2(g)+O2(g)⇌2SO3(g)

2
N2O(g)+12O2(g)⇌2NO(g)

3
Cu(s)+2Ag+(aq)⇌Cu+2(aq)+2Ag(s)

4
CaCO3(g)⇌CaCO(s)+CO2(g)

5
2NaHCO3(s)⇌Na2CO3(s)+CO2(g)+H2

Chemistry Class-X Page 6

SLO # 9.3.3: Predict the direction and extent of reversible reactions using reaction quotient QC and equilibrium
constant KC.

For a reaction of known Kc value, the direction of net reaction can be predicted by calculating the reaction quotient, Qc.Qc
is called the reaction quotient, where for a reaction such as:

aA + bB⇄cC + dD

[C]c [D]d
Qc =
[A]a [B]b
Qc has the same expression as Kc, butQc is calculated using concentrations that are not necessarily at equilibrium.Knowing
both the equilibrium constant and reaction quotient, we can predict whether or not a reaction mixture is at equilibrium,
and we can predict the direction of net reaction. There are three conditions for the direction of reaction.

Qc = Kcè equilibrium (no net reaction)

Qc<Kcè forward reaction;

Qc>Kcè reverse reaction

The value of K tells us whether a reaction favors the products or the reactants.

Assumptions about the Reaction Based on the Value of K

When we know the numerical value of the equilibrium constant, we can make certain judgments about the extent of the
chemical reaction.
K>1
If K is larger than 1, the mixture contains mostly products.
K<1
If K is less than 1, the mixture contains mostly reactants.
K=1
If K is about equal to 1, the reaction will reach equilibrium as an intermediate mixture, meaning the amounts of products
and reactants will be about the same.

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Practice question:

Predict the direction of reaction with reason of the given reactions

a) 2NO2 (g) ⇄ N2O4 (g) Keq = 2.2

b) Cu2+(aq) + 2Ag(s) ⇄ Cu(s) + 2Ag+(aq) Keq = 1 x 10-15

c) Pb2+(aq) + 2 Cl-(aq) ⇄ PbCl2(s) Keq = 6.3 x 104

d) SO2(g) + O2(g)⇄ SO3(g) Keq = 110

Ans: -

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SLO # 9.3.4: Predict the direction of a reversible reaction using molar concentration of reactants and products
through the calculation of QC

Example no 1

At a certain temperature the Kc for a reaction is 75.0 2O3(g) ⇄ 3O2(g)

Predict the direction in which the equilibrium will proceed, if any, when the following amounts are introduced
to a 10 L vessel.

a) 0.60 mole of O3 and 3.0 mol of O2

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B) 1.5 mole of O3 and no O2

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Example no 2: SO3(g) + H2O(g) ⇄ H2SO4(l)

At equilibrium [SO3] = 0.400M [H2O] = 0.480M [H2SO4] = 0.600M

Calculate the value of the equilibrium constant.

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Chemistry Class-X Page 9

Example no 3

In a particular mixture at equilibrium, [SO2]= 4.20 M and [SO3]=11.0M..Kc= 798 at 25oC for the
reaction:

2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇄ 2SO3 (g).

Calculate the equilibrium concentration of [O2] in this mixture.

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Example no 4:

Consider the following equilibrium:

2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇄ 2SO3 (g)

0.600 moles of SO2 and 0.600 moles of O2 are present in a 4.00 L flask at equilibrium at 100oC.
If the Kc = 680, calculate the SO3 concentration at 100oC.

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Example no 5

If at equilibrium [H2] = 0.200M and [I2] = 0.200M and Keq=55.6 at 250oC, calculate the
equilibrium concentration of HI.

H2 (g) + I2 (g) ⇄ 2HI (g)

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SLO # 9.3.5: Describe the necessary conditions for equilibrium and the ways through which
equilibrium can be recognized.

Necessary for chemical equilibrium are:

• Reaction must be reversible. Equilibrium cannot be established in irreversible reaction.

Equilibrium is associated with reversibility.
• Chemical equilibrium can be established when all the reactants and product are present
in the reacting vessel.
• Reacting vessel should be closed. Chemical equilibrium cannot establish in open vessel
because the reactants and products may escapes from the reacting vessel. Specially when
any of the reactants or products is present in gas phase Therefore the important condition
for equilibrium is closed vessel from which reactant and products cannot be escaped.
• Chemical equilibrium can be established when the condition i.e temperature and pressure
remain constant.
• Catalyst helps in attaining the equilibrium earlier but once equilibrium established. Then
it cannot disturb the equilibrium.

SLO # 9.3.6: State Le Chatelier’s principle.

The Le Châtelier's principle states that:

‘when factors that influence an equilibrium are altered, the equilibrium will shift to a
new position that tends to minimize those changes’

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SLO # 9.3.7: Determine the effect of catalyst, temperature, pressure and concentration on a
reversible reaction at equilibrium.

Factors that influence equilibrium are concentration, temperature, and partial pressure (for gases)

The Effect of Changes in Concentration

• Consider the reaction:

N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇄ 2 NH3(g);

If [N2] is added, [H2] will decrease, forward reaction will occur and NH3 will also increase to
reach new equilibrium position.

If [NH3] is increased, a net reverse reaction will occur to come to new equilibrium position.

Effects of Pressure Change on Equilibrium

• If the volume of a gas mixture is compressed, the overall gas pressure will increase. In
which direction the equilibrium will shift in either direction depends on the reaction
stoichiometry. It will move towards least no of mole.

However, there will be no effect to equilibrium if the number of moles is same at reactant and
product side or the total gas pressure is increased by adding an inert gas that is not part of the
equilibrium system

Example no 1: The reactions shift right when pressure increases and shift left when pressure
decreases

2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇄ 2SO3(g),

• If the pressure is decreases, reaction proceeds in the forward direction.

• If pressure is increased by decreasing the volume (compression), a forward reaction
occurs to reduce the stress.
• Reactions that result in fewer moles of gas favor high pressure conditions

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Example no 2: Reaction that shifts left when pressure increases, but shifts right when pressure
decreases

PCl5(g) ⇄ PCl3(g) + Cl2(g);

• Forward reaction results in more gas molecules.

• Pressure increases as reaction proceeds towards equilibrium.
• If mixture is compressed, pressure increases, and reverse reaction occurs to reduce
pressure because reactants are with less no of moles.
• If volume expands and pressure drops, forward reaction occurs to compensate.
• This type of reactions favors low pressure condition.

Example no 3: Reactions not affected by pressure changes

1. CO(g) + H2O(g) ⇄ CO2(g) + H2(g);

2. H2(g) + Cl2(g) ⇄ 2HCl(g);

• Reactions have same number of gas molecules in reactants and products.

• Reducing or increasing the volume will cause equal effect on both sides – no net reaction
will occur.
• Equilibrium is not affected by change in pressure.

Determine whether the following reactions favor high or low pressures?

1. 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇄ 2 SO3(g);_______________________________________________

2. PCl5(g) ⇄ PCl3(g) + Cl2(g); _______________________________________________

3. CO(g) + 2H2(g) ⇄ CH3OH(g);______________________________________________

4. N2O4(g)⇄ 2 NO2(g);_____________________________________________________

5. H2(g) + F2(g)⇄ 2 HF(g);__________________________________________________

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The Effect Temperature on Equilibrium

Exothermic reaction:

N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇄ 2NH3(g); DHo = -92 kJ,

• The forward reaction produces heat => heat is a product.

• When heat is added to increase temperature, reverse reaction will take place to absorb the
heat;
• If heat is removed to reduce temperature, a net forward reaction will occur to produce
heat.
• Exothermic reactions favor low temperature conditions.

Endothermic reaction:

CH4(g) + H2O(g) ⇄ CO(g) + 3H2(g), DHo = 205 kJ

• Endothermic reaction absorbs heat, heat is a reactant;

• If heat is added to increasing the temperature, it will cause a net forward reaction.
• If heat is removed to reduce the temperature, it will cause a net reverse reaction.
• Endothermic reactions favor high temperature condition.

Determine whether the following reactions favor high or low temperature?

1. 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇄ 2 SO3(g); DHo = -180 kJ_____________________________

2. CO(g) + H2O(g) ⇄ CO2(g) + H2(g); DHo = -46 kJ______________________________

3. CO(g) + Cl2(g) ⇄ COCl2(g); DHo = -108 kJ____________________________

4. N2O4(g)⇄ 2 NO2(g); DHo = +57 kJ_____________________________

5. CO(g) + 2H2(g) ⇄ CH3OH(g); DHo = -270 kJ ____________________________

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 Practice questions

MCQs

1. Which of the following is an endothermic reaction?

A. The combustion of ethanol in air
B. The formation of carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water
C. The oxidation of carbon to carbon dioxide
D. The reaction between hydrogen and oxygen

2. Carbon dioxide was produced endothermically when a given mass of zinc carbonate reacted with
excess hydrochloric acid.
Which result shows what would happen if reaction were repeated at the higher temperature?
Volume of carbon dioxide Rate of reaction
A Same Faster
B Same Slower
C Greater Same
D Greater Faster

3. Look at the following diagram which depicts the energy diagram of a chemical reaction. Which
point on the diagram represents the point of activation energy or transition state?

4. The reversible reaction below has reached dynamic equilibrium

KClO3(s) KCl(s) + O2(g)

What does the term dynamic equilibrium means?

A. The reaction has stopped

B. The concentrations of KClO3 , KCl and O2are equal
C. The rate of forward and backward reaction are equal
D. C and D both are correct

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 5. The given diagram depicts two energy levels for the conversion of reactant(s) into product(s).

Which statement is correct for the given diagram?

A. There are two reactants converting into same product at the same time but with different
energies.
B. There are two ways by which reactant can be converted into product without any involvement
of the other factors like temperature and pressure.
C. There is a compression of two rates of reaction. The first energy level is representing the
reaction’s rate without catalyst and the lower energy level is representing the rate of same
reaction after addition of catalyst.
D. All the above statements are correct for the given diagram.

6. Which of the following is not a way to stress the system at equilibrium?

A. Temperature
B. Pressure
C. Catalyst
D. Concentration

7. For an endothermic reaction heat energy is stated as:

A. Product
B. Reactant
C. Catalyst
D. Inhibitor

8. For the given equation, which one of the following conditions will shift the equilibrium towards
the left?
H2CO3 (aq) + H2O(l) HCO3-(aq) + H3O+(aq)

H2CO3 H2O HCO3- H3O+

A Increase Increase Decrease Decrease
B Increase Decrease Increase Decrease
C Increase Increase Increase Decrease
D Decrease Decrease Increase Increase

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 9. Identify the correct unit of equilibrium Constant for the given equation
H2O(l) + CO2(g) H2CO3(aq)
A. Mol/dm3
B. Mol-1. dm3
C. Mol-1/dm3
D. Mol2+/dm6

10. The reaction

C2H4(g) + 3O2(g) 2CO2(g) + 2H2O(g)
Is exothermic because
A. More bonds are broken than are formed
B. The energy needed to break the bond is greater than that released on forming new
bonds
C. More bonds are formed than are broken
D. The energy needed to break the bond is less than that released on forming new bonds

11. Curve B is obtained by observing the decomposition of 100 cm3 0f 1 mol/dm3 aqueous
hydrogen peroxide, catalyzed by manganese (IV) oxide.
2H2O2(aq) 2H2O(l)+ O2(g)

Which alteration to the conditions will produce curve A?

A. Adding some 0.8 mol/dm3 aqueous Hydrogen peroxide
B. Lowering the temperature
C. Using a better catalyst
D. Using less manganese (IV) oxide

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 12. In which equation the sign of enthalpy is correct?
Equations Enthalpy
A 2AgCl(s) 2Ag(s)+ Cl2(g) Positive
B CH4(g) C(g)+ 4H(g) Negative
C H2O(l) H2O(g) Negative
D CH4(g)+ O2(g) CO2(g)+ 2H2O(l) Positive

13. Which statement about catalyst is correct?

A. Catalyst are used in industries to reduce energy cost
B. Catalyst are used up during chemical reaction
C. Iron is used as a catalyst in contact process
D. Transition metals are not good catalyst

14. The following reversible reaction takes place in a closed vessel at constant temperature.
P(g)+ Q(g)+ R(g) S(g)+T(g)
When the system has reached equilibrium, more T is added.

Which increases in concentration occur?

A. P, Q, R and S
B. P and Q only
C. P, q and R only
D. S only

15. A powder solid is more reactive than its chunks due to:
A. Higher temperature
B. Lower temperature
C. Greater surface area
D. Lower surface area

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 16. The following changes could be made to the conditions in the reaction between zinc and
Hydrochloric acid.
Zn + 2HCl ZnCl2 + H2
1. Increase in concentration of acid
2. Increase in particle size of the zinc
3. Increase in pressure of the system
4. decrease in temperature of the system
Which pair of changes increase the rate of reaction?

A. 1 and 2
B. 1 and 4
C. 2 and 3
D. 3 and 4

17. Which pair of statements about combustion carbohydrates and their formation by
photosynthesis is correct?
Combustion Photosynthesis
A Chemical energy converted into Chemical energy is converted into light
heat energy energy
B Catalyst needed Catalyst needed
C Oxygen released Oxygen used up
D Negative enthalpy Positive enthalpy

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 18. The diagram shows energy profile for a chemical reaction.

What is the correct description of the reaction?

Sign of enthalpy Overall energy change Sign of activation energy
A - Exothermic -
B + Endothermic +
C + Endothermic -
D + Exothermic +

19. Identify the correct option for the type of thermochemical reactions represented in graphs

A B
Graph A Graph B
A Exothermic Exothermic
B Exothermic Endothermic
C Endothermic Endothermic
D Endothermic Exothermic

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 20. Which one of the following has the lowest value of activation energr?
A. Slow reactions
B. Fast reactions
C. Moderate reactions
D. Ionic reactions

CRQs

1. In an experiment conducted at 74°C, the equilibrium concentrations of reactants and

products for the equation shown below were [CO] = 1.2x10-2 M, [Cl2] = 0.054 M and
[COCl2] = 0.14 M.
CO(g) + Cl2 (g) ↔ COCl2 (g)

a) What is the equilibrium expression and it’s unit for this reaction?
b) Calculate the value of the equilibrium constant
2. One student performed an experiment in which nitrogen and hydrogen gas were mixed
together to form ammonia. Equilibrium concentrations of the three species were [NH3] = 0.157
M, [N2] = 0.921 M and [H2] = 0.763 M.

N2 (g) + H2 (g) ↔ NH3 (g)

a) What is the equilibrium expression for this reaction?

b) Calculate the value of the equilibrium constant.

3. What would happen to the position of the equilibrium when the following changes are made to
the equilibrium system below?

2SO3(g) ↔ 2SO2(g) + O2(g)

(a) Sulfur dioxide is added to the system.

(b) Sulfur trioxide is removed from the system.

(c) Oxygen is added to the system.

4. What would happen to the position of the equilibrium when the following changes are made to
the reaction below?

2H2O(s) ↔ H2(l) + O2(g)

(a) H2O is added to the system.

(b) The pressure on the system increases.

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 5. When the volume of the following mixture of gases is increased, what will be the effect on
the equilibrium position?

4HCl(g) + O2(g) ↔ 2H2O(g) + 2Cl2(g)

6. Predict the effect of decreasing the volume of the container for each equilibrium.

(a) 2H2O(g) + N2(g) ↔ 2H2(g) + 2NO(g)

(b) SiO2(s) + 4HF(g) ↔ SiF4(g) + 2H2O(g)

(c) CO(g) + H2(g) ↔ C(s) + H2O(g)

7. Predict the effect of decreasing the temperature on the position of the following equilibria.

(a) H2(g) + Cl2(g) ↔ 2HCl(g) + 49.7 kJ

(b) 2NH3(g) ↔ N2(g) + 3H2(g) ∆ H = 37.2 kJ

(c) CO(g) + H2O(g) ↔ CO2(g) + H2(g) ∆ H = -27.6 kJ

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