CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIA

OWOYOMI Olanrewaju PhD

 What is Chemical Equilibrium?
• During our classes on STOICHIOMETRY, we assume that reactions
proceed to completion. However, we need to know that:
1. When all the reactants in a reaction are used up the reaction is said to
have gone to completion. However, in some reactions not all the
reactants are used.
2. Reactions that go to completion are irreversible. However, in some
reactions the reactants form products (in a forward reaction), and the
products can change back into reactants (in a reverse reaction).
3. In all reactions, as the amount of reactant in a reaction decreases the
product is formed more slowly. In a reversible reaction, as the amount of
product increases the reactant is formed more quickly. Eventually the rate
of the forward reaction (reactants →products) equals the rate of the
reverse reaction (products → reactants).

• At this point there are still reactants present but there

does not appear to be any further change taking place. The
reaction is said to be in chemical equilibrium.
• For illustration you can check the link below for a
simulation of equilibrium:
• http://www.youtube.com/embed/C5jDmG4nVV8
 Definitions of Chemical Equilibrium
• Chemical equilibrium is the state
of a reversible reaction where the
rate of the forward reaction
equals the rate of the reverse
reaction.
–While a reaction is in equilibrium
the concentration of the
reactants and products are
constant.
 Examples of Chemical Equilibrium
• A bottle of cold Coca –cola or Sprite drink
– Carbon (IV) oxide dissolved in the bottled liquid
– There is also carbon (IV) oxide in the space between the liquid
and the cap
– There is a constant movement of CO2 from the liquid to the gas
phase, and from the gas phase into the liquid. However, a
cursory look at the bottle there does not appear to be any
change. The system is in equilibrium.
– CO2(g)+H2O(l) ⇌ H2CO3(aq)
• Equilibrium within your body
– Oxygen transport by heamoglobin in your body without which
you can not survive
– The haemoglobin takes up oxgen, but releases it and this is
done through changes in the chemical equilibrium of this
reaction in different places in our bodies.
– haemoglobin(aq) + 4O2(g) ⇌ haemoglobin(O2)4
 REVERSIBLE PROCESSES
• A reversible reaction is a chemical reaction that can
proceed in both the forward and reverse directions. In
other words, the reactants and products of the reaction
may reverse roles.
• A special double-headed arrow (⇋) is used to show this
type of reversible reaction:
• Examples:
– AB + C ⇋ A + BC
– H2(g) + I2(g) ⇋ 2HI(g)
forward⟶ ⟵reverse
• The forward reaction is: H2(g) + I2(g) → 2HI(g)
• The reverse reaction is: 2HI(g) → H2(g) + I2(g)
• The two examples above illustrate the concept of DYNAMIC
EQUILIBRIUM

A graphical illustration can be seen on the next slide

 Equilibrium and Stoichiometry
• The relationship between STOICHIOMETRY and EQUILBRIUM will be
illustrated using the reaction for the synthesis of ammonia (NH3) from
elemental nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2)

• Because of the stoichiometry of the reaction:

– H2 disappears three times as fast as N2 does, and NH3 forms twice as fast as N2
disappears.