Chemical Equilibrium

Front

What is Chemical Equilibrium?

Back

A state in a chemical reaction where the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equal, resulting in constant concentrations of reactants and products.

Front

What does the equilibrium constant (K) represent?

Back

The ratio of the concentrations of products to reactants at equilibrium, each raised to the power of their coefficients in the balanced equation.

Front

How do you write the equilibrium constant expression for a reaction?

Back

For a reaction aA + bB ⇌ cC + dD, the expression is K = [C]^c [D]^d / [A]^a [B]^b.

Front

What does a large value of K indicate about a reaction?

Back

It indicates that the products are favored at equilibrium.

Front

What does a small value of K indicate about a reaction?

Back

It indicates that the reactants are favored at equilibrium.

Front

What happens to the equilibrium position if the concentration of a reactant is increased?

Back

The equilibrium shifts to favor the formation of products.

Front

What happens to the equilibrium position if the concentration of a product is decreased?

Back

The equilibrium shifts to favor the formation of more products.

Front

What is Le Chatelier's Principle?

Back

If a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change in concentration, temperature, or pressure, the system will adjust to counteract that change.

Front

What is the effect of increasing temperature on an exothermic reaction at equilibrium?

Back

The equilibrium shifts to favor the reactants.

Front

What is the effect of increasing pressure on a reaction involving gases?

Back

The equilibrium shifts to the side with fewer moles of gas.