Representative Exam Questions

On The Topic of Equilibrium

(Includes Acid / Base Equilibria)

Detailed Answer Key – Answers and Explanations

1. If a chemical equilibrium very much favors the products over the reactants, what
would we expect its equilibrium constant to be like?

* a) We would expect the equilibrium constant to be a very large number.

b) We would expect the equilibrium constant to be a very small number.

c) We would not be able to make any prediction about the size of the
equilibrium constant, because its numerical value conveys no
information on what is favored in the equilibrium.

The larger the equilibrium constant, the more the right

(product) side is favored, and the smaller the
equilibrium constant, the more the left (reactant) side
is favored.

2. If a chemical reaction reaches equilibrium very quickly, what would we expect its
equilibrium constant to be like?

a) We would expect the equilibrium constant to be a very large number.

b) We would expect the equilibrium constant to be a very small number.

* c) We would not be able to make any prediction about the size of the
equilibrium constant, because its numerical value conveys no
information on the time required to reach equilibrium.

The equilibrium constant tells us about the position of

equilibrium, but not about the time required to get
there.
3. What is always true about a chemical reaction when it is at equilibrium?

a) The concentrations of all the reactants are zero.

b) All substances shown in the reaction have equal concentrations.

* c) The forward reaction rate is equal to the reverse reaction rate.

d) Both the forward and reverse reaction have come to a stop.

Equilibrium is the name given to the condition of

having two opposing processes occurring at the same
rate. Although all concentrations remain constant at
equilibrium, they are not necessarily equal to each
other.

4. Chemical equilibrium is said to be

a) static *b) dynamic

The forward and reverse reactions continue to occur

when the system is at equilibrium.

5. A negative equilibrium constant is obtained

a) when a reaction is elementary

b) when a reaction is non-elementary

c) when the reaction is exothermic in the forward direction

d) when you reverse the direction of a reaction that initially

had a positive equilibrium constant

* e) under no circumstances

Equilibrium constants are calculated by multiplying and

dividing concentrations (for KC) or pressures (for KP)
raised to various powers. Concentrations and pressures
are always positive numbers, and there is no way to
obtain a negative answer when positive numbers are
multiplied, divided, or raised to powers.
6. For any chemical reaction that reaches an equilibrium, it is possible to write a
balanced equilibrium equation and a corresponding equilibrium constant
expression. On what factors will the numerical value of the equilibrium constant
depend?

a) None. A given reaction has a characteristic numerical value for its

equilibrium constant that applies under all conditions.

b) Temperature

c) The choice of coefficients used to balance the equation describing

the reaction.

d) Whether the reaction is elementary or non-elementary

* e) Both b and c

Except for reactions that are neither endothermic nor

exothermic (a very rare situation) changing the
temperature shifts the position of equilibrium.
Heating the system drives the reaction in the
endothermic direction, and cooling the system drives
the reaction in the exothermic direction. If a
chemical equation is multiplied by a constant, the
equilibrium constant is raised to that power. For
example, multiplying a reaction by 2 results in the
equilibrium constant being squared. Also, reversing
the direction of a chemical reaction takes the
reciprocal of the equilibrium constant. For example, a
reaction that has an equilibrium constant of 2 when
written in one direction has an equilibrium constant of
0.5 when written in the reverse direction.

7. Given the equilibrium reaction

2A(g) + 2BC(g) <----------> AB2(g) + AC2(g) KC = 4

what is the numerical value of the equilibiurm constant (KC) for the reaction

AB2(g) + AC2(g) <----------> 2A(g) + 2BC(g) KC = ?

a) -4 b) -2 *c) 0.25 d) 0.50 e) 4

The original reaction has been reversed. Therefore, we

must take the reciprocal of the original equilibrium
constant. 1 / 4 = 0.25
8. Given the equilibrium reaction

A(g) + 2B(g) <----------> AB2(g) KC = 9

what is the numerical value of the equilibrium constant (KC) for the reaction

2A(g) + 4B(g) <----------> 2AB2(g) KC = ?

a) 3 b) 4.5 c) 9 d) 18 *e) 81

The original reaction was multiplied by 2, so the

equilibrium constant must be raised to the power 2,
that is, squared. 92 = 81.

9. Given the equilibrium reactions

AB(g) <----------> A(g) + B(g) KC = 0.5

2A(g) + B2(g) <----------> A2B(g) + B(g) KC = 6

what is the equilibrium constant (KC) for the following reaction?

3A(g) + B2(g) <----------> A2B(g) + AB(g) KC = ?

a) 3 b) 5.5 c) 6.5 *d) 12 e) 36

You can get the target reaction by reversing the first

reaction and then adding the second reaction.
Reversing the first reaction changes its equilibrium
constant from 0.5 to 2. Recall that reversing a
reaction takes the reciprocal of its equilibrium
constant. 1 / 0.5 = 2. When chemical reactions are
added, their equilibrium constants are multiplied.
2 x 6 = 12.
10. The reaction

2NH3(g) <----------> N2(g) + 3H2(g)

has KC = 6.46 x 10-3 at 300 oC. What is the value of KP for the reaction at this
same temperature? Note that R = 0.0820584 (L atm) / (K mol). Temperatures
must be in Kelvin units.

a) 2.62 x 10-4 b) 0.159 c) 0.304

d) 3.91 *e) 14.3

KP = KC .
(RT)n n = (1+3) - 2 = 4 – 2 = 2

KP = 6.46 x 10-3 .
(0.0820584 x 573.15)2 = 14.3

11. The reaction

N2O4(g) <----------> 2NO2(g)

has KP = 0.145 at 25 oC. What is KC for the reaction at this same temperature?
Note that R = 0.0820584 (L atm) / (K mol). Temperatures must be in Kelvin
units.

*a) 5.93 x 10-3 b) 7.07 x 10-2 c) 0.297

d) 3.55 e) 24.6

KC = KP .
(RT)-n n = 2 – 1 = 1
-n = -1
.
KC = 0.145 (0.0820584 x 298.15)-1 = 5.93 x 10-3
12. Sulfur trioxide gas, SO3, was put in a heated reaction vessel and maintained at a
temperature of 700 oC. Some of the SO3 decomposed into SO2 and O2 gases, and
an equilibrium was established between the SO3, SO2, and O2. The chemical
equation describing this equilibrium is

2SO3(g) <----------> 2SO2(g) + O2(g)

The equilibrium concentrations of these three gases were determined and found to
be

[SO3]eq = 1.14 x 10-2 M

[SO2]eq = 8.64 x 10-3 M

[O2]eq = 4.32 x 10-3 M

What is the numerical value of the equilibrium constant for this reaction at
700 oC?

a) 1.56 x 10-4 *b) 2.48 x 10-3 c) 5.81 x 10-2

d) 4.72 x 102 e) 6.38 x 103

[SO2]2eq [O2]eq
KC = --------------
[SO3]2eq

(8.64 x 10-3)2 (4.32 x 10-3)

KC = ---------------------------- = 2.48 x 10-3
(1.14 x 10-2)2
13. At 395 oC, an equilibrium mixture of CO, Cl2, and COCl2 was found to have the
following concentrations:

[CO]eq = 6.5 x 10-3 M

[Cl2]eq = 1.4 x 10-3 M

[COCl2]eq = unspecified

The equilibrium reaction for this chemical system is as follows:

CO(g) + Cl2(g) <----------> COCl2(g) KC = 1.2 x 103 at 395 oC

What is the concentration of COCl2 in this mixture at 395 oC?

a) 7.4 x 10-9 M b) 8.8 x 10-6 M c) 3.5 x 10-3 M

d) 6.9 x 10-3 M *e) 1.1 x 10-2 M

[COCl2]eq
KC = -------------
[CO]eq.[Cl2]eq

Solving this for [COCl2]eq gives

. .
[COCl2]eq = KC [CO]eq [Cl2]eq

= 1.2 x 103 (6.5 x 10-3) (1.4 x 10-3)

= 1.1 x 10-2
14. Into a 10.00 L reaction vessel, a chemist placed 0.381 moles of HI, 0.492 moles of
H2, and 0.773 moles of I2 at 425 oC. The chemical equation for the equilibrium of
HI, H2, and I2 is as follows:

2HI(g) <----------> H2(g) + I2(g) KC = 1.84 at 425 oC

What can be said about this chemical system?

a) This is an equilibrium mixture. No net reaction will occur.

*b) This is not an equilibrium mixture. Some of the H2 and I2 will combine to
form HI until equilibrium is reached.

c) This is not an equilibrium mixture. Some of the HI will decompose into

H2 and I2 until equilibrium is reached.

[HI] = 0.381 mol / 10.00 L = 0.0381 mol L-1

[H2] = 0.492 mol / 10.00 L = 0.0492 mol L-1

[I2] = 0.773 mol / 10.00 L = 0.0773 mol L-1

[H2] [I2] (0.0492) (0.0773)

QC = --------- = ----------------- = 2.62
[HI]2 (0.0381)2

QC > KC so the reaction will proceed to the left. This

means some of the H2 and I2 will react to form HI.
15. A 5.00 L reaction vessel at 3900 oC initially contained 0.200 moles each of N2 and O2
gases. These reacted to form NO as described by the following equation:

N2(g) + O2(g) <----------> 2NO(g) KC = 0.0123 at 3900 oC

How many moles of NO will be present in the container when the system has
reached equilibrium?

a) 8.91 x 10-3 mol *b) 2.10 x 10-2 mol c) 4.23 x 10-2 mol

d) 7.66 x 10-2 mol e) 1.85 x 10-1 mol

[N2]initial = 0.200 mol / 5.00 L = 0.0400 mol L-1

[O2]initial = 0.200 mol / 5.00 L = 0.0400 mol L-1

[NO]initial = 0 mol L-1

AN “ICE” TABLE

[N2] [O2] [NO]

Initial 0.0400 0.0400 0
Change -X -X +2X
Equilibrium 0.0400 - X 0.0400 - X 2X

[NO]2eq
------------ = KC
[N2]eq [O2]eq

(2X)2
------------------------- = 0.0123
(0.0400 – X) (0.0400 – X)

(2X)2
------------- = 0.0123
(0.0400 – X)2

2X
------------- = ±0.1109 Note: A square root has
(0.0400 – X) both a positive and
a negative root

2X = ±0.1109 (0.0400 – X)
Case 1: positive root Case 2: negative root

2X = 0.1109 (0.0400 – X) 2X = -0.1109 (0.0400 – X)

2X = 0.004436 – 0.1109X 2X = -0.004436 + 0.1109X

2X + 0.1109X = 0.004436 2X – 0.1109X = -0.004436

(2 + 0.1109)X = 0.004436 (2 – 0.1109)X = -0.004436

2.1109X = 0.004436 1.8891X = -0.004436

X = 0.00210 X = -0.00235

Since none of the equilibrium concentrations in the “ICE”

table can be negative, the acceptable values for X are in
the following range:

0 < X < 0.0400

Therefore, the X value obtained in Case 2 (-0.00235) must

be rejected. The value of X obtained in Case 1 (0.00210)
falls within the acceptable range. The equilibrium
concentrations are now known:

[N2]eq = 0.0400 – X = 0.0400 – 0.00210 = 0.0379

[O2]eq = 0.0400 – X = 0.0400 – 0.00210 = 0.0379

.
[NO]eq = 2X = 2 (0.00210) = 0.00420

To confirm that these are the equilibrium concentrations,

substitute them back into the equilibrium constant
expression and confirm that the original KC is obtained.

(0.00420)2
KC = ----------------- = 0.0123
(0.0379) (0.0379)

The equilibrium concentration of NO is 0.00420 mol L-1.

The total number of moles of NO in the 5.00 L container is

0.00420 mol L-1 x 5.00 L = 0.0210 mol

= 2.10 x 10-2 mol

16. What is the pH of a 3.88 M NH3 solution? NH3 is a weak base that establishes
the following equilibrium when dissolved in water:

NH3(aq) + H2O(l) <----------> NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq) Kb = 1.8 x 10-5

The math is no worse than a quadratic, even if you don't approximate, but it
should be ok to approximate in this problem.

a) 2.1 b) 8.6 c) 9.2 *d) 11.9 e) 12.8

[NH3]initial = 3.88 mol L-1

[NH4+]initial = 0 mol L-1

[OH-]initial ≈ 0 mol L-1 Note: In an aqueous system,

a small amount of OH-
is always present from
the self-ionization of
H2O.

AN “ICE” TABLE

[NH3] [NH4+] [OH-]

Initial 3.88 0 ≈ 0
Change -X +X +X
Equilibrium 3.88 - X X X

[NH4+]eq [OH-]eq
--------------- = Kb
[NH3]eq

(X) (X)
----------- = 1.8 x 10-5
(3.88 – X)

Since the initial concentration of NH3 is fairly large,

and the extent of ionization is small (as indicated by
the small value of Kb), the concentration of NH3 is
probably not significantly reduced by the ionization.
That is,

3.88 – X ≈ 3.88

This makes it possible to ignore the subtraction of X

in the denominator. This greatly simplifies the
equation. It can now be written as follows:
(X) (X)
------- = 1.8 x 10-5
3.88

X2
----- = 1.8 x 10-5
3.88

X2 = 3.88 (1.8 x 10-5) = 7.0 x 10-5

X = 8.4 x 10-3 = [OH-]eq

[H3O+] [OH-] = KW = 1.0 x 10-14 Numerical value applies

at 25 oC

KW 1.0 x 10-14
+
[H3O ] = ----- = ----------- = 1.2 x 10-12
[OH-] 8.4 x 10-3

pH = -log [H3O+] = -log (1.2 x 10-12) = 11.9

17. What is the [H3O+] in a 2.50 M HClO solution? Hypochlorous acid, HClO, is a
weak acid with the following equilibrium equation:

HClO(aq) + H2O(l) <----------> H3O+(aq) + ClO-(aq) Ka = 3.5 x 10-8

The math is no worse than a quadratic, even if you don't approximate, but it
should be ok to approximate in this problem.

a) 3.4 x 10-11 b) 5.5 x 10-8 c) 5.1 x 10-6

*d) 3.0 x 10-4 e) 2.3 x 10-2

[HClO]initial = 2.50 mol L-1

[H3O+]initial ≈ 0 mol L-1 Note: There is always a small

amount of H3O+ present
in an aqueous system
due to the self-
ionization of water.

[ClO-]initial = 0 mol L-1

AN “ICE” TABLE

[HClO] [H3O+] ClO-]

Initial 2.50 ≈ 0 0
Change - X +X +X
Equilibrium 2.50 - X X X

[H3O+]eq [ClO-]eq
---------------- = Ka
[HClO]eq

(X) (X)
---------- = 3.5 x 10-8
(2.50 – X)

Since the initial concentration of HClO is fairly large

and the extent of ionization is very small (as
indicated by the numerical value of Ka), the
concentration of HClO is probably not significantly
reduced by the ionization. That is,

2.50 – X ≈ 2.50

With this approximation, we can ignore the subtraction

of X in the denominator, which greatly simplifies the
equation.

(X) (X)
------- = 3.5 x 10-8
2.50

X2
---- = 3.5 x 10-8
2.50

X2 = 2.50 (3.5 x 10-8) = 8.8 x 10-8

X = 3.0 x 10-4 = [H3O+]

18. What is the [OH-] in a 0.0100 M HCl solution? Note that HCl is a strong acid. It
ionizes completely when dissolved in water:

HCl(aq) ==========> H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

Enough HCl was added to provide 0.0100 moles of HCl for each liter of solution,
but once added to water, it exists entirely as ions -- no molecular HCl is found in
the solution.

*a) 1.0 x 10-12 b) 1.0 x 10-10 c) 1.0 x 10-8

d) 1.0 x 10-4 e) 1.0 x 10-2

Note that the equation is written to show H+ rather

than H3O+. You will find that H+ and H3O+ are often used
interchangeably. If you prefer, you can add H2O to
both sides of the equation and write it as

HCl(aq) + H2O(l) ==========> H3O+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

HCl is a strong acid. We regard the ionization of a strong

acid to be 100% complete, rather than having the ions in
equilibrium with the unionized acid. We can still set up an
“ICE” table, but there is no unknown X in it. Rather,
numerical values can be obtained for every cell in the
table.

[HCl]initial = 0.0100 mol L-1

[H3O+]initial ≈ 0 mol L-1 Note: There is always a small

amount of H3O+ present
in an aqueous system
due to the self-
ionization of water.

[Cl-]initial = 0 mol L-1

AN “ICE” TABLE

[HCl] [H3O+] [Cl-]

Initial 0.0100 ≈ 0 0
Change -0.0100 +0.0100 +0.0100
Equilibrium 0 0.0100 0.0100
 [H3O+]eq = 0.0100 mol L-1

[H3O+]eq [OH-]eq = KW = 1.0 X 10-14 Numerical value

applies at 25 oC

KW 1.0 x 10-14
[OH-]eq = ------- = ------------ = 1.0 x 10-12
[H3O+]eq 0.0100

19. What is the pOH of a 4.20 M hydrocyanic acid (HCN) solution? Note that
hydrocyanic acid is a weak acid that establishes the following equilibrium in
water:

HCN(aq) + H2O(l) <----------> H3O+(aq) + CN-(aq) Ka = 6.2 x 10-10

The math is no worse than a quadratic, even if you don't approximate, but it
should be ok to approximate in this problem.

a) 1.6 b) 4.3 c) 8.1 *d) 9.7 e) 12.4

[HCN]initial = 4.20 mol L-1

[H3O+]initial ≈ 0 Note: There is always a small

amount of H3O+ present
in an aqueous system
due to the self-
ionization of water.

[CN-]initial = 0

AN “ICE” TABLE

[HCN] [H3O+] [CN-]

Initial 4.20 ≈ 0 0
Change -X +X +X
Equilibrium 4.20 - X X X

[H3O+]eq [CN-]eq
---------------- = Ka
[HCN]eq
(X) (X)
--------- = 6.2 x 10-10
4.20 – X

Since the initial concentration of HCN is fairly large and

the extent of ionization if very small (as indicated by the
small value of Ka), the concentration of HCN is probably not
significantly reduced by the ionization. That is,

4.20 – X ≈ 4.20

With this approximation, the subtraction of X in the

denominator can be ignored. This greatly simplifies the
equation.

(X) (X)
-------- = 6.2 x 10-10
4.20

X2
----- = 6.2 x 10-10
4.20

X2 = 4.20 (6.2 x 10-10) = 2.6 x 10-9

X = 5.1 x 10-5 = [H3O+]eq

[H3O+]eq [OH-]eq = KW = 1.0 x 10-14 Numerical value

applies at 25 oC

KW 1.0 x 10-14
-
[OH ]eq = ------ = ------------ = 2.0 x 10-10
[H3O+]eq 5.1 x 10-5

pOH = -log [OH-]eq = -log (2.0 x 10-10) = 9.7

20. What is the [H3O+] in a 3.00 M sodium acetate (NaHC2H3O2) solution? Note that
sodium acetate is a salt that undergoes hydrolysis after being dissolved in water.
The salt is freely soluble, and dissolves without establishing an equilibrium:

NaHC2H3O2(aq) ==========> Na+(aq) + C2H3O2-(aq)

The Na+, being the conjugate acid of a strong base (NaOH) is too weak an acid to
react with water. The C2H3O2-, being the conjugate base of a weak acid
(HC2H3O2) has enough base strength to react with water:

C2H3O2-(aq) + H2O(l) <----------> HC2H3O2(aq) + OH-(aq)

The numerical value of the equilibrium constant for the above reaction is
normally not published in tables, because it can be obtained from the equilibrium
constants of two other reactions that ARE published:

HC2H3O2(aq) + H2O(l) <----------> H3O+(aq) + C2H3O2-(aq) Ka =1.8 x 10-5

2H2O(l) <----------> H3O+(aq) + OH-(aq) Kw = 1.0 x 10-14

By combining these two reactions in the appropriate way, you can produce the
reaction for which the numerical value of the equilibrium constant is desired.
Once you have that, you can do an ICE table calculation in the usual way. It
should be possible to make an approximation in your solution to the ICE table
calculation to avoid having to solve the quadratic formula.

a) 1.6 x 10-13 *b) 2.4 x 10-10 c) 2.5 x 10-7

d) 4.1 x 10-5 e) 1.8 x 10-3

If we reverse the acetic acid ionization reaction and

add the water ionization reaction, we obtain the
desired reaction:

1
H3O+(aq) + C2H3O2-(aq) <-----> HC2H3O2(aq) + H2O(l) ---- = 5.6 x 104
Ka

2H2O(l) <----------> H3O+(aq) + OH-(aq) KW = 1.0 x 10-14

-----------------------------------------------------------------
C2H3O2-(aq) + H2O(l) <-----> HC2H3O2(aq) + OH-(aq) Kb = 5.6 x 10-10
Recall that when we reverse the direction of a chemical
reaction, we take the reciprocal of its equilibrium constant,
and when we add chemical reactions, we multiply their
equilibrium constants. Using these principles, we have
determined that the desired reaction has an equilibrium
constant of 5.6 x 10-10. This equilibrium constant has been
labeled Kb since the C2H3O2- is acting as a base. We know that
it acts as a base because it generates OH- ions in its
reaction with water. We refer to C2H3O2- as the conjugate base
of HC2H3O2 because C2H3O2- is what is left over after HC2H3O2,
acting as an acid, donates an H+ to H2O to form H3O+.

Notice that what has been shown above is that

1
.
----- KW = Kb
Ka

This can be rewritten in the form

.
Ka Kb = KW

This is a general relationship between the equilibrium

constants of any acid and its conjugate base. Since KW is a
known constant, we can calculate Kb if we know Ka and we can
calculate Ka if we know Kb. Keeping this formula in mind, it
will not be necessary to actually set up the chemical
arithmetic each time, as I have done above. Once you know
the pattern, you can quickly and easily find the needed
equilibrium constant.

Now that we have the equilibrium constant for the desired

reaction, we can calculate the equilibrium concentrations in
the usual manner.

Since the NaC2H3O2 is 100% ionized in water, a 3.00 M solution

of NaC2H3O2 is really a solution that is 3.00 M in both Na+ and
C2H3O2-. Therefore, the initial concentration of C2H3O2- is 3.00
M.
[C2H3O2-]initial = 3.00 mol L-1

[HC2H3O2-]initial = 0 mol L-1

[OH-]initial ≈ 0 Note: In an aqueous solution, there will

always be a small amount of OH-
present from the self-ionization of
water.

AN “ICE” TABLE

[C2H3O2-] [HC2H3O2] [OH-]

Initial 3.00 0 ≈ 0
Change -X +X +X
Equilibrium 3.00 - X X X

[HC2H3O2]eq [OH-]eq
----------------- = Kb
[C2H3O2-]eq

(X) (X)
----------- = 5.6 x 10-10
3.00 - X

Since the initial concentration of C2H3O2- is fairly large and

the extent of reaction is small (as indicated by the small
value of Kb), the concentration of C2H3O2- is probably not
significantly reduced by the reaction. That is,

3.00 – X ≈ 3.00

With this approximation, we can ignore the subtraction of X

in the denominator. This greatly simplifies the equation.
 (X) (X)
--------- = 5.6 x 10-10
3.00

X2
------ = 5.6 x 10-10
3.00

X2 = 3.00 (5.6 x 10-10) = 1.7 x 10-9

X = 4.1 x 10-5 = [OH-]eq

[H3O+]eq [OH-]eq = KW = 1.0 x 10-14 Numerical value

applies at 25 oC

KW 1.0 x 10-14
[H3O+]eq = -------- = ----------- = 2.4 x 10-10
[OH-]eq 4.1 x 10-5