Equilibrium: Reversible

Reactions
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TO UNDERSTAND REVERSIBLE REACTIONS
 Definitions and terms:

 Terms: - Reversible Reactions

 - Equilibrium Reactions
 - Position of Equilibrium
 Defintions:
 Reversible reactions- this is a reaction in which the reactants combine to form products and the
products combine to form reactants.
 Equilibrium reactions- It’s a reaction that does not go to completion and in which reactants and
products are present in fixed concentration rations at a particular temperature and pressure.
 Position of equilibrium: it is the relationship between the equilibrium concentrations of
reactants and products.
What is the concept of equilibrium?

 In equilibrium reactions the forward and the backward reactions are happening at
the same time. The products are being converted to reactants at the same time as
the reactants are being converted into products. So equilibrium reactions do not
go to completion.
Characteristics of equilibrium:

 The forward and backward reactions occur at the same rate

 It is dynamic: while the reactants are changing in to products, at the same time
the products are changing in to reactants
 The concentration of both the reactants and the products remain constant at
equilibrium (this is because the rate of the forward reaction is equals to the rate
of the backward reaction)
 When performing an equilibrium reaction it has to be in a closed vessel as it
wouldn’t work if any of the reactants or products escaped.
Position of Equilibrium

 This term is used to refer to relative concentrations of reactants and products at

equilibrium. The position of equilibrium is altered if we add more reactants or
products or change the temperature or pressure.
 Le Châtelier's principle states that if a change is made to the conditions of a system at
equilibrium, then the position of equilibrium moves to oppose the change in conditions.
This principle can be used to predict how the position of equilibrium will change when
the reaction conditions are changed.
 ( remember to go through old chem notes from chads Mrs Choudhury)