FURTHER TOPICS ON

CHEMICAL
EQUILIBRIUM

2015
SPECIFICATIONS
CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM (2)

CONTENTS
• The Equilibrium Law
• The equilibrium constant Kc
• Calculations involving Kc
• Calculations involving gases
• Mole fraction and partial pressure calculations
• Calculations involving Kp
 THE EQUILIBRIUM LAW

Simply states
“If the concentrations of all the substances present at equilibrium are
raised to the power of the number of moles they appear in the equation,
the product of the concentrations of the products divided by the product
of the concentrations of the reactants is a constant, provided the
temperature remains constant”

There are several forms of the constant; all vary with temperature.

Kc the equilibrium values are expressed as concentrations in mol dm-3

Kp the equilibrium values are expressed as partial pressures

The partial pressure expression can be used for reactions involving gases
 THE EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANT Kc

for an equilibrium reaction of the form...

aA + bB cC + dD

then (at constant temperature) [C]c . [D]d = a constant, (Kc)

[A]a . [B]b

where [ ] denotes the equilibrium concentration in mol dm-3

Kc is known as the Equilibrium Constant
 THE EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANT Kc

for an equilibrium reaction of the form...

aA + bB cC + dD

then (at constant temperature) [C]c . [D]d = a constant, (Kc)

[A]a . [B]b

where [ ] denotes the equilibrium concentration in mol dm-3

Kc is known as the Equilibrium Constant

VALUE OF Kc
AFFECTED by a change of temperature

NOT AFFECTED by a change in concentration of reactants or products

a change of pressure
adding a catalyst
 CALCULATIONS INVOLVING Kc
• construct the balanced equation, including state symbols (aq), (g) etc.
• determine the number of moles of each species at equilibrium
• divide moles by volume (in dm3) to get the equilibrium concentrations in mol dm-3
(If no volume is quoted, use a V; it will probably cancel out)
• from the equation constructed in the first step, write out an expression for Kc.
• substitute values from third step and calculate the value of Kc with any units
 CALCULATIONS INVOLVING Kc
• construct the balanced equation, including state symbols (aq), (g) etc.
• determine the number of moles of each species at equilibrium
• divide moles by volume (in dm3) to get the equilibrium concentrations in mol dm-3
(If no volume is quoted, use a V; it will probably cancel out)
• from the equation constructed in the first step, write out an expression for Kc.
• substitute values from third step and calculate the value of Kc with any units

Example 1
One mole of ethanoic acid reacts with one mole of ethanol at 298K. When equilibrium is
reached it is found that two thirds of the acid has reacted. Calculate the value of Kc.
 CALCULATIONS INVOLVING Kc
• construct the balanced equation, including state symbols (aq), (g) etc.
• determine the number of moles of each species at equilibrium
• divide moles by volume (in dm3) to get the equilibrium concentrations in mol dm-3
(If no volume is quoted, use a V; it will probably cancel out)
• from the equation constructed in the first step, write out an expression for Kc.
• substitute values from third step and calculate the value of Kc with any units

Example 1
One mole of ethanoic acid reacts with one mole of ethanol at 298K. When equilibrium is
reached it is found that two thirds of the acid has reacted. Calculate the value of Kc.

CH3COOH(l) + C2H5OH(l) CH3COOC2H5(l) + H2O(l)

 CALCULATIONS INVOLVING Kc
• construct the balanced equation, including state symbols (aq), (g) etc.
• determine the number of moles of each species at equilibrium
• divide moles by volume (in dm3) to get the equilibrium concentrations in mol dm-3
(If no volume is quoted, use a V; it will probably cancel out)
• from the equation constructed in the first step, write out an expression for Kc.
• substitute values from third step and calculate the value of Kc with any units

Example 1
One mole of ethanoic acid reacts with one mole of ethanol at 298K. When equilibrium is
reached it is found that two thirds of the acid has reacted. Calculate the value of Kc.

CH3COOH(l) + C2H5OH(l) CH3COOC2H5(l) + H2O(l)

moles (initially) 1 1 0 0
moles (at equilibrium) 1 - 2/3 1 - 2/3 2/3 2/3

Initial moles of CH3COOH = 1 moles reacted = 2/3 equilibrium moles of CH3COOH = 1/3
For every CH3COOH that reacts; a similar number of C2H5OH’s react (equil moles = 1 - 2/3)
a similar number of CH3COOC2H5’s are produced
a similar number of H2O’s are produced
 CALCULATIONS INVOLVING Kc
• construct the balanced equation, including state symbols (aq), (g) etc.
• determine the number of moles of each species at equilibrium
• divide moles by volume (in dm3) to get the equilibrium concentrations in mol dm-3
(If no volume is quoted, use a V; it will probably cancel out)
• from the equation constructed in the first step, write out an expression for Kc.
• substitute values from third step and calculate the value of Kc with any units

Example 1
One mole of ethanoic acid reacts with one mole of ethanol at 298K. When equilibrium is
reached it is found that two thirds of the acid has reacted. Calculate the value of Kc.

CH3COOH(l) + C2H5OH(l) CH3COOC2H5(l) + H2O(l)

moles (initially) 1 1 0 0
moles (at equilibrium) 1 - 2/3 1 - 2/3 2/3 2/3
equilibrium concs. 1/3 / V 1/3 / V 2/3 / V 2/3 / V

V = volume (dm3) of the equilibrium mixture

 CALCULATIONS INVOLVING Kc
• construct the balanced equation, including state symbols (aq), (g) etc.
• determine the number of moles of each species at equilibrium
• divide moles by volume (in dm3) to get the equilibrium concentrations in mol dm-3
(If no volume is quoted, use a V; it will probably cancel out)
• from the equation constructed in the first step, write out an expression for Kc.
• substitute values from third step and calculate the value of Kc with any units

Example 1
One mole of ethanoic acid reacts with one mole of ethanol at 298K. When equilibrium is
reached it is found that two thirds of the acid has reacted. Calculate the value of Kc.

CH3COOH(l) + C2H5OH(l) CH3COOC2H5(l) + H2O(l)

moles (initially) 1 1 0 0
moles (at equilibrium) 1 - 2/3 1 - 2/3 2/3 2/3
equilibrium concs. 1/3 / V 1/3 / V 2/3 / V 2/3 / V

V = volume (dm3) of the equilibrium mixture

Kc = [CH3COOC2H5] [H2O]
[CH3COOH] [C2H5OH]
 CALCULATIONS INVOLVING Kc
• construct the balanced equation, including state symbols (aq), (g) etc.
• determine the number of moles of each species at equilibrium
• divide moles by volume (in dm3) to get the equilibrium concentrations in mol dm-3
(If no volume is quoted, use a V; it will probably cancel out)
• from the equation constructed in the first step, write out an expression for Kc.
• substitute values from third step and calculate the value of Kc with any units

Example 1
One mole of ethanoic acid reacts with one mole of ethanol at 298K. When equilibrium is
reached it is found that two thirds of the acid has reacted. Calculate the value of Kc.

CH3COOH(l) + C2H5OH(l) CH3COOC2H5(l) + H2O(l)

moles (initially) 1 1 0 0
moles (at equilibrium) 1 - 2/3 1 - 2/3 2/3 2/3
equilibrium concs. 1/3 / V 1/3 / V 2/3 / V 2/3 / V

V = volume (dm3) of the equilibrium mixture

Kc = [CH3COOC2H5] [H2O] = 2/3 / V . 2/3 / V = 4

[CH3COOH] [C2H5OH] 1/3 / V . 1/3 / V
 CALCULATIONS INVOLVING Kc
Example 2
Consider the equilibrium P + 2Q R + S (all species are aqueous)
One mole of P and one mole of Q are mixed. Once equilibrium has been achieved 0.6
moles of P are present. How many moles of Q, R and S are present at equilibrium ?

P + 2Q R + S
Initial moles 1 1 0 0
At equilibrium 0·6 0·2 0·4 0·4
(0·4 reacted) (2 x 0·4 reacted) (get 1 R and 1 S for every P that reacts)
1- 0·6 remain 1- 0·8 remain

Explanation • if 0.6 mol of P remain of the original 1 mol, 0.4 mol have reacted
• the equation states that 2 moles of Q react with every 1 mol of P
• this means that 0.8 (2 x 0.4) mol of Q have reacted, leaving 0.2 mol
• one mol of R and S are produced from every mol of P that reacts
• this means 0.4 mol of R and 0.4 mol of S are present at equilibrium
 CALCULATIONS INVOLVING GASES
Method
• carried out in a similar way to those involving concentrations
• one has the choice of using Kc or Kp for the equilibrium constant
• when using Kp only take into account gaseous species for the expression
• use the value of the partial pressure of any gas in the equilibrium mixture
• pressure is usually quoted in Nm-2 or Pa - atmospheres are sometimes used
• as with Kc, the units of the constant Kp depend on the stoichiometry of the reaction
 CALCULATIONS INVOLVING GASES
Method
• carried out in a similar way to those involving concentrations
• one has the choice of using Kc or Kp for the equilibrium constant
• when using Kp only take into account gaseous species for the expression
• use the value of the partial pressure of any gas in the equilibrium mixture
• pressure is usually quoted in Nm-2 or Pa - atmospheres are sometimes used
• as with Kc, the units of the constant Kp depend on the stoichiometry of the reaction

USEFUL RELATIONSHIPS

total pressure = sum of the partial pressures

partial pressure = total pressure x mole fraction

mole fraction = number of moles of a substance

number of moles of all substances present
 MOLE FRACTION AND PARTIAL PRESSURE
Example A mixture of 16g of O2 and 42g of N2 , exerts a total pressure of
20000 Nm-2. What is the partial pressure of each gas ?
 MOLE FRACTION AND PARTIAL PRESSURE
Example A mixture of 16g of O2 and 42g of N2 , exerts a total pressure of
20000 Nm-2. What is the partial pressure of each gas ?

moles of O2 = mass / molar mass = 16g / 32g = 0.5 mol

moles of N2 = mass / molar mass = 42g / 28g = 1.5 mol
total moles = 0.5 + 1.5 = 2.0 mol
 MOLE FRACTION AND PARTIAL PRESSURE
Example A mixture of 16g of O2 and 42g of N2 , exerts a total pressure of
20000 Nm-2. What is the partial pressure of each gas ?

moles of O2 = mass / molar mass = 16g / 32g = 0.5 mol

moles of N2 = mass / molar mass = 42g / 28g = 1.5 mol
total moles = 0.5 + 1.5 = 2.0 mol

mole fraction of O2 = 0.5 / 2 = 0.25

mole fraction of N2 = 1.5 / 2 = 0.75
sum of mole fractions = 0.75 + 0.25 = 1 (sum should always be 1)
 MOLE FRACTION AND PARTIAL PRESSURE
Example A mixture of 16g of O2 and 42g of N2 , exerts a total pressure of
20000 Nm-2. What is the partial pressure of each gas ?

moles of O2 = mass / molar mass = 16g / 32g = 0.5 mol

moles of N2 = mass / molar mass = 42g / 28g = 1.5 mol
total moles = 0.5 + 1.5 = 2.0 mol

mole fraction of O2 = 0.5 / 2 = 0.25

mole fraction of N2 = 1.5 / 2 = 0.75
sum of mole fractions = 0.75 + 0.25 = 1

partial pressure of O2 = mole fraction x total pressure

= 0.25 x 20000 Nm-2 = 5000 Nm-2

partial pressure of N2 = mole fraction x total pressure

= 0.75 x 20000 Nm-2 = 15000 Nm-2
 MOLE FRACTION AND PARTIAL PRESSURE
Example A mixture of 16g of O2 and 42g of N2 , exerts a total pressure of
20000 Nm-2. What is the partial pressure of each gas ?

moles of O2 = mass / molar mass = 16g / 32g = 0.5 mol

moles of N2 = mass / molar mass = 42g / 28g = 1.5 mol
total moles = 0.5 + 1.5 = 2.0 mol

mole fraction of O2 = 0.5 / 2 = 0.25

mole fraction of N2 = 1.5 / 2 = 0.75
sum of mole fractions = 0.75 + 0.25 = 1

partial pressure of O2 = mole fraction x total pressure

= 0.25 x 20000 Nm-2 = 5000 Nm-2

partial pressure of N2 = mole fraction x total pressure

= 0.75 x 20000 Nm-2 = 15000 Nm-2
 CALCULATIONS INVOLVING Kp
Example When nitrogen (1 mole) and hydrogen (3 moles) react at constant
temperature at a pressure of 8 x 106 Pa, the equilibrium mixture
was found to contain 0.7 moles of ammonia. Calculate Kp .
 CALCULATIONS INVOLVING Kp
Example When nitrogen (1 mole) and hydrogen (3 moles) react at constant
temperature at a pressure of 8 x 106 Pa, the equilibrium mixture
was found to contain 0.7 moles of ammonia. Calculate Kp .

N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g)

moles (initially) 1 3 0
moles (equilibrium) 1-x 3 - 3x 2x (x moles of N2 reacted)
 CALCULATIONS INVOLVING Kp
Example When nitrogen (1 mole) and hydrogen (3 moles) react at constant
temperature at a pressure of 8 x 106 Pa, the equilibrium mixture
was found to contain 0.7 moles of ammonia. Calculate Kp .

N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g)

moles (initially) 1 3 0
moles (equilibrium) 1-x 3 - 3x 2x (x moles of N2 reacted)

mole fractions (1-x)/(4-2x) (3-3x)/(4-2x) 2x/(4-2x) (total moles = 4 - 2x)

partial pressures P.(1-x)/(4-2x) P.(3-3x)/(4-2x) P.2x/(4-2x) (total pressure = P )

 CALCULATIONS INVOLVING Kp
Example When nitrogen (1 mole) and hydrogen (3 moles) react at constant
temperature at a pressure of 8 x 106 Pa, the equilibrium mixture
was found to contain 0.7 moles of ammonia. Calculate Kp .

N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g)

moles (initially) 1 3 0
moles (equilibrium) 1-x 3 - 3x 2x (x moles of N2 reacted)

mole fractions (1-x)/(4-2x) (3-3x)/(4-2x) 2x/(4-2x) (total moles = 4 - 2x)

partial pressures P.(1-x)/(4-2x) P.(3-3x)/(4-2x) P.2x/(4-2x) (total pressure = P )

at equilibrium there are 0.7 moles of ammonia, so 2x = 0.7 and x = 0.35

the total pressure (P) = 8 x 106 Pa.
 CALCULATIONS INVOLVING Kp
Example When nitrogen (1 mole) and hydrogen (3 moles) react at constant
temperature at a pressure of 8 x 106 Pa, the equilibrium mixture
was found to contain 0.7 moles of ammonia. Calculate Kp .

N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g)

moles (initially) 1 3 0
moles (equilibrium) 1-x 3 - 3x 2x (x moles of N2 reacted)

mole fractions (1-x)/(4-2x) (3-3x)/(4-2x) 2x/(4-2x) (total moles = 4 - 2x)

partial pressures P.(1-x)/(4-2x) P.(3-3x)/(4-2x) P.2x/(4-2x) (total pressure = P )

at equilibrium there are 0.7 moles of ammonia, so 2x = 0.7 and x = 0.35

the total pressure (P) = 8 x 106 Pa.

applying the equilibrium law Kp = (PNH3)2 with units of Pa-2

(PN2) . (PH2)3
 CALCULATIONS INVOLVING Kp
Example When nitrogen (1 mole) and hydrogen (3 moles) react at constant
temperature at a pressure of 8 x 106 Pa, the equilibrium mixture
was found to contain 0.7 moles of ammonia. Calculate Kp .

N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g)

moles (initially) 1 3 0
moles (equilibrium) 1-x 3 - 3x 2x (x moles of N2 reacted)

mole fractions (1-x)/(4-2x) (3-3x)/(4-2x) 2x/(4-2x) (total moles = 4 - 2x)

partial pressures P.(1-x)/(4-2x) P.(3-3x)/(4-2x) P.2x/(4-2x) (total pressure = P )

at equilibrium there are 0.7 moles of ammonia, so 2x = 0.7 and x = 0.35

the total pressure (P) = 8 x 106 Pa.

applying the equilibrium law Kp = (PNH3)2 with units of Pa-2

(PN2) . (PH2)3

Substituting in the expression gives Kp = 1.73 x 10-14 Pa-2

 FURTHER TOPICS ON

CHEMICAL
EQUILIBRIUM
THE END

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