Equilibrium Flashcard- AP Chemistry

Front

What is chemical equilibrium?

Back

Chemical equilibrium is the state in a reversible reaction where the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equal, resulting in constant concentrations of reactants and products.

Front

What does it mean for a reaction to be reversible?

Back

A reversible reaction is one that can proceed in both the forward and reverse directions, allowing reactants to form products and products to reform reactants under suitable conditions.

Front

What is the equilibrium constant (K)?

Back

The equilibrium constant (K) is a numerical value that expresses 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 expression for a reaction?

Back

For a reaction aA + bB ⇌ cC + dD, the equilibrium expression is K = [C]^c [D]^d / [A]^a [B]^b, where [X] represents the concentration of species X.

Front

What is the significance of a large K value?

Back

A large K value (K >> 1) indicates that at equilibrium, the concentration of products is much greater than that of reactants, favoring the formation of products.

Front

What is the significance of a small K value?

Back

A small K value (K << 1) indicates that at equilibrium, the concentration of reactants is much greater than that of products, favoring the formation of reactants.

Front

What is Le Chatelier's Principle?

Back

Le Chatelier's Principle states that if a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change in concentration, temperature, or pressure, the system will adjust to counteract that change and restore a new equilibrium.

Front

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

Back

Increasing the concentration of a reactant will shift the equilibrium position to the right, favoring the formation of products.

Front

What happens to equilibrium when the temperature is increased in an exothermic reaction?

Back

Increasing the temperature in an exothermic reaction will shift the equilibrium position to the left, favoring the formation of reactants.

Front

What is the effect of pressure on equilibrium in gaseous reactions?

Back

Increasing the pressure in a gaseous reaction will shift the equilibrium position toward the side with fewer moles of gas.