STATIC AND DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM

Inquiry Question: What happens when reactions do not go to completion?

Conduct practical investigations to analyse the reversibility of chemical reactions, for example:
Cobalt (II) Chloride COCl2 (aq) + 6H2O (l)  COCl2 . 6H2O (l)
hydrated and dehydrated Blue Pink
- Addition or removal of water molecules shifts equilibrium
- Can be used to test for the presence of water  add copper chloride
and if it changes colour it has been hydrated
Iron (III) nitrate and Fe3+(aq) + NCS-(aq) ⇌ FeNCS+2(aq)
potassium thiocyanate - Iron ions are yellow in solution
- Potassium thiocyanate is clear
- Added together = red
Burning magnesium - Rusting and combustion are irreversible
- Exothermic reaction
- Amount of energy released is greater than can be put back in
2Mg(s) + O2  2MgO(s) + energy
Burning steel wool 2Fe(s) +3/2O2 (g)  Fe2O3 (s)
Copper sulphate CuSO4 . 5H2O  CuCO4 + 5H2O
Blue White
- Heating dehydrates
- Similar to cobalt chloride

Model static and dynamic equilibrium and analyse the differences between open and closed systems
Reversible reactions Reactions where the activation energy for both the forward and reverse
reactions must be small enough for both the forward and reverse reactions to
have sufficient particles with enough energy to collide successfully.
Dynamic equilibrium 1. Closed system
conditions 2. Macroscopic properties constant
3. Concentrations of reactants and products are constant
4. Rate of forward and reverse reactions are the same
Definitions Chemical systems: constant motion, particle motion exists at all temperatures
except absolute 0), may occur in forward and reverse directions
Static Equilibrium: both forward and reverse reactions have come to a halt
and changes occur at the molecular level (e.g. Burning magnesium)
The rate of the forward and reverse reactions are zero
Dynamic Equilibrium: state of dynamic balance in which the forward and
reverse processes occur at the same rate, no macroscopic change (e.g. Iron
thiocyanate) ⇌
The rate of the forward and reverse reactions are equal
Modelling Equilibrium Water tubs example (Dynamic):
1. Start with one tub of green water and one that is empty
2. Scoop consistent amounts of products and reactants until the rate of
reaction is equal (volume of water moving between tubes is equal) =
dynamic equilibrium
Note:
- Amount of water = rate of reaction
- Not a closed system  spillage, evaporation
- Macroscopic properties are constant
- Cant see molecular level
- No reaction occurring  both products and reactants are green water
Burning Magnesium (Static):
- Reactants all become products

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 - No reverse reaction
- No longer any visible changes but all reactions have stopped
Graphical representations

- Products start at a conc of 0  none have formed yet

- Change in conc slows down over time as there are fewer collisions
with reactants being used up
- Conc of the products and reactants becomes constant (gradient = 0)
- By adding a catalyst you reach equilibrium faster but it doesn’t change
the equilibrium value
Open and closed systems Open systems are able to intereact with their surrounding s
Closed systems are not  an equilibrium will ve reached
In an open system the equilibrium is reached based off the external
environment

Analyse examples of non-equilibrium systems in terms of the effect of entropy and enthalpy, for
example:
Combustion reactions - Reaction is done in the open air, allowing materials and energy to
escape
- Irreversible when a product is irreversible lost to the environment and
cannot be recovered
- Entropy has been increased  no way to decrease entropy again
unless you provide the system with more energy than was lost and
increase the total entropy
Photosynthesis 6CO2(g) + 6H2O(l)  C6H12O6(aq)

Investigate the relationship between collision theory and reaction rate in order to analyse chemical
equilibrium reactions
Collision theory In order for a reaction to occur the reactant particles must have enough energy
to collide (greater than the activation energy) and the correct orientation.
It is a model of gas interaction that accounts for the various factors that are
relevant to the rate of reaction.
Relationship - As the number of collisions increases, so does the rate of the reaction
- Increasing the rate of reaction has no impact on the equilibrium  just
means that you get there faster
Activation energy - Must have enough energy to break the existing bonds to collide and
form new products
Collisions - Must be enough particles and moving at a great enough speed to
ensure that collisions occur
Molecular orientation - Complex molecules that might require bonds to break in a particular
area of the compound and collide at that exact location for a product to
form

FACTORS THAT AFFECT EQUILIBRIUM

Inquiry Question: What factors affect equilibrium and how?
Investigate the effects of temperature, concentration, volume and/or pressure on a system at
equilibrium and explain how Le Chatelier’s principle can be used to predict such effects, for example;

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 Le Chatelier’s principle A system at equilibrium, when introduced to a change, will shift in
equilibrium to minimise that change.
Temperature - Direction of the reaction shifts depending on if the reaction is exo or
endothermic
- Increase in temp means equilibrium will shift to reduce the temp
- i.e. if exothermic reaction an increase in temp means reverse reaction
is favoured (endo which will decrease temp)
- ↑ temp. = ↑ KE = ↑ collisions
Concentration - Increasing concentration means it will shift to decrease the
concentration of that species  will shift to other side
- Will shift in direction that will consume the added species
- Adding a solid or liquid does not change conc
- BUT adding water may affect the conc of all ions in solution 
doesn’t shift equilibrium
Volume and/or pressure - If pressure is increased, it will shift to decrease the pressure
- If pressure is reduced, it will shift to increase the pressure
- Done using mols of gas  will favour the side the will reduce/increase
the number of mols in the system and therefore reduce/increase the
pressure
- If volume is increased, it will shift to create more mols of gas
- If volume is decreased, it will shift to create less mols of gas
Heating Cobalt (II) COCl2 (aq) + 6H2O (l)  COCl2 . 6H2O (l)
Chloride hydrate - Warming = evaporates water molecules, dehydrates
- Means forward reaction is exothermic
- Therefore increasing temp shifts left, favours the reverse  turns blue
Interaction between 2NO2(g) ⇌ N2O4(g) △H = -57.30 kJ/mol
nitrogen dioxide and - Increasing conc of NO2  =bm will shift to decrease NO2 = shifts
dinitrogen tetroxide right
- Increase pressure  shift to the right to reduce no of mols and reduce
the pressure
- Increase temp  shifts left, favours endothermic reverse

Explain the overall observations about equilibrium in terms of collision theory

Equilibrium and collision In an equilibrium reaction the number of successful collisions between the
theory reactants to produce produces is equal to the number of successful collisions
between products to produce reactants. Reactant particles must collide with
correct orientation and enough energy to overcome the EA.
Concentration - Increasing conc of reactants = more molecules in the reaction vessel
- Means higher likelihood of collisions
- More molecules = more reactions
Pressure - Increase pressure means higher density of gas
- Means higher likelihood of collisions
- Reaction rate will increase and =bm will shift
Temperature - Increase in temp means molecules have more energy  higher KE
- When particles interact they have to overcome activation energy to
react
- Increased KE means higher likelihood of a reaction being successful
upon collision

Examine how activation energy and heat of reaction affect the position of equilibrium
Heat - Adding heat increases the temperature which favours endothermic
reaction to remove the added heat and minimise the disturbance
- Heat can be made into a product on the endothermic side
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 Collision theory

- A rise in temp has a large impact on number of particles that collide

- Increase in temp changes activation energy
- More collisions results in a faster rate

CALCULATING THE EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANT (KEQ)

Inquiry question: How can the position of equilibrium be described and what does the equilibrium constant
represent?

Deduce the equilibrium expression (in terms of Keq) for homogeneous reactions occurring in solution
Homogenous reaction Any reaction which occurs in a single phase (same state)
Heterogenous reaction Contains more than 1 state
Keq

[ products ]
K=
[reactants ]
- K is a constant value
- Ratio between products and reactants
K = 1.0 Concentration of products is equal to concentration of reactants
 achieved equilibrium
K >> Concentration of products is very large and concentration of
1.0 reactants is very small  forward reaction favoured
10 < K < 10-3  between = reasonably equal
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K << Concentration of reactants is very small and concentration of

1.0 reactants is very large  reverse reaction favoured
- Remember: solids and liquids are not included in the expression 
have no impact on K
- In a homogenous mixture when all the substances are in the same
phase, solids and liquids are included because the relative proportions
are the same
- Remember that stoichiometry impacts ratio for changes in calculations
- If change is 0 in the ICE table, must be to the same no of sig figs i.e.
0.00
Reaction quotient - The ratio of concs of produts to reactants at time before =bm
[ products ]
Q= ≠ K means not at equilibrium
[ reactants ]
when Q=K , systemis at equilibrium
Q = K At equilibrium
Q > K Reaction proceeds to the left until Q = K

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 Q < K Reaction proceeds to the right until Q = K
- Can think about number line to determine which way the equilibrium
will shift

Perform calculations to find the value of Keq and concentrations of substances within an equilibrium
system, and use these values to make predictions on the direction in which a reaction may proceed
Steps 1. Write out balanced equation
2. Write general expression for K
3. Write ICE table
4. Solve for dissolved quantity

Qualitatively analyse the effect of temperature on the value of Keq

Effect of temp on K - Only temp. will change K  the concentrations do not change
proportionally  changes ratio
- Direction depends on if its exothermic or endothermic
Exothermic Decreases K
Endothermic Increases K

Conduct an investigation to determine Keq of a chemical equilibrium system, for example:

Keq of the iron(III)
thiocyanate equilibrium

Explore the use of Keq for different types of chemical reactions, including but not limited to:
Dissociation of ionic
solutions
Dissociation of acids and
bases
HA + H2O(l) ⇌ A- + H3O(aq)
- Means dissolution of a salt in water
- In solution water molecules rip apart the two atoms, overcoming the
intramolecular forces
- Keq can be used to see to what extent ionisation occurs
- Can be found with electrical probe test  can calculate constant
through electrical conductivity
- The acid constant Ka
- Calculated in same way as Keq
- When an acid is placed in solution dissociation occurs
- Acids are proton donors  lose hydrogen ions
- Ends up being the conc of the H ions floating around which have been
donated by the acid upon dissociation
- Conc of water will be 1
- Acids ionise with water to produce ions in solution
- Strong acids ionise completely  no acid molecules remaining and
there is no equilibrium
- Weak acids are only partially ionised  reaction is reversible
- The smaller the K value the weaker the acid

SOLUTION EQUILIBRIA
Inquiry question: How does solubility relate to chemical equilibrium?
Describe and analyse the processes involved in the dissolution of ionic compounds in water
Saturation When salts are dissolved in water a point arises when no more can dissolve
The solution is saturated and an equilibrium has been reached

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Dissolution process The polar water molecules are strongly attracted to the ions inn the ionic
lattice  attraction is strong enough to sperate individual ions from the lattice
- Water molecules are attracted to ions
- -∂ attracted to cation
- +∂ attracted to anion
- Interferes and breaks ionic bonds  ions break off into solution
- Disrupts and breaks ionic bonds and ions go into solution
- Solubility of the ionic substances varies a great deal but even salts that
are described as insoluble do dissolve to some extent
- Solubility varies with temperatures and so does Ka
- Degree of solubility depends on:

Solubility curves Steps to draw:

- Heat to dissolve
- Allow to cool
- Record temp at which crystals appear
- Repeat with different masses of solute
- Convert to 100g of water
- Graph
Definitions Saturated = no more solute can be dissolved
Unsaturated = solution where solute can dissolve
Supersaturated = solution containing more solute ions than shown in the
solubility curve
Bonding - Water molecules are polar  attract charged ions

- Creates ion-dipole bonding

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Investigate the use of solubility equilibria by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples when
removing toxicity from foods, for example:
Toxins in cycad fruit Explain why leaching was an effective method of removing toxins from
cycads.
Leaching allowed for the toxins in their food sources to be dissolved and
removed. Cycads were a readily available food source however many were
toxic. Cycasin was a common toxin which could lead to death, however its
solubility is 56.6g/L meaning that if it was placed in a flowing body of water,
it could be safe to eat. The parts of the plants that had to be leached, for
example seeds or kernels, were placed in a finely woven basket made from
lawyer cane and placed in a flowing creek. The toxins would dissolve and
flow away. This meant that it could never reach dynamic equilibrium as the
toxins flow away until there is no more.
- Cycads are fern like
- Many used as food sources
- Contain cycasin  nerve toxin
- Take stem, dry it, grind up and place in flowing water
- Cycasin(s) ⇌ Cycasin(aq)

Conduct an investigation to determine solubility rules, and predict and analyse the composition of
substances when two ionic solutions are mixed, for example:
Solubility rules

REMEMBER: more active metals will replace less active metals in solution
 refer to standard potentials list
Potassium chloride and KCl(s) + AgNO3 ⇌ AGCL(S) + KNO3 (aq)
silver nitrate Potassium chloride is insoluble
Sodium sulfate and No reaction will occur
barium nitrate

Derive equilibrium expressions for saturated solutions in terms of Ksp and calculate the solubility of
an ionic substance from its Ksp value
Solubility product - In a saturated solution there is an =bm between the solid and the ions
constant in solution
- Saturated when no more solid can dissolve
Q < Ksp No ppt.
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 Q = Ksp Saturated, no ppt.
Q > Ksp Ppt.
Common ion effect - Reduces the solubility of a salt
- Write a normal equn as if it was being dissolved in water
- Initial conc. of common ion is the same as the conc. of the solution
- Ions coming from 2 solutions

Predict the formation of a precipitate given the standard reference values for Ksp
Precipitates - Will form when exceeds saturation point
Steps:
1. Find limiting reagent
2. Calculate solubility
3. Determine whether there is a precipitate remaining using:
Q < Ksp No ppt.
Q = Ksp Saturated, no ppt.
Q > Ksp Ppt.