GENERAL CHEMISTRY 2

“CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM AND LE CHATELIER PRINCIPLE”

2nd Quarter
Lesson 2

NAME: ____________________________________________ SECTION: _______________________

SUBJECT TEACHER: _________________________________ DATE: __________________________

Chemical equilibrium is a state in which the rate of the forward reaction

equals the rate of the backward reaction. In other words, there is no net
change in concentrations of reactants and products. This kind of
equilibrium is also called dynamic equilibrium.

In this lesson, we will study how a certain chemical reaction will reach its
equilibrium and how do we solve for the equilibrium constant as well as
the rate of the equilibrium.

Chemical
Equilibrium

Equilibrium
Constant

Le Chatelier’s
Principle

LESSONS and COVERAGE CONCEPTUAL MAP

10 minutes

TRY THIS

Direction: Balance the

chemical reactions, then
rewrite each equation using
the equilibrium arrow to show
if it is reversible or not.

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 ACTIVITY NO. 1 5 minutes

DIRECTION: Write the ideas or concepts that

you know about the topics to be discussed in
column 1. What else would you want to know
about this? Write your answers in column 2.

MELCs
▪ Explain chemical equilibrium in terms of the reaction rates of the forward
and reverse reaction.
▪ Calculate equilibrium constant and the pressure or concentration of
reactants or products in an equilibrium mixture.
▪ State the Le Chatelier’s principle and apply it qualitatively to describe the
effect of changes in pressure, concentration, and temperature on a
system at equilibrium.
At the end of the lesson, I can:
❑ Define chemical equilibrium and relate it in terms of reaction rates.
❑ Identify the difference between forward and reverse reactions.
❑ Calculate the equilibrium constant together with the pressure and
concentration of the reactants and products in an equilibrium state.
❑ Apply Le Chatelier’s Principle in describing the changes of a system at
TARGETS equilibrium in terms of pressure, concentration, and temperature.
▪

ACTIVITY NO. 2 15 minutes

Directions: Access the link or scan the QR code to watch the video
about Chemical Equilibria and Reaction Quotients.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GiZzCzmO5Q.

1. What is chemical equilibrium? How do we achieve it?

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 2. What is the difference between forward and reverse reaction?
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3. How does stoichiometry relate to chemical equilibrium?

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4. What is the purpose of Initial Change Equilibrium (ICE)?

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5. What does it mean when Kc >1? Kc < 1?

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ACTIVITY NO. 3 90 minutes

CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM

Directions: Read and understand the given discussion on Chemical Equilibrium.

Systems in equilibrium are balanced. For example, if you are running on a treadmill
you are in constant motion. However, you are not moving forward or backwards. As fast
as you run forward the treadmill is moving you backwards. You are in equilibrium with the
treadmill.

In the same way chemical reactions can be in

equilibrium (the products and reactants are
produced at the same rate). We will begin by
exploring chemical equilibrium in more detail. Ways
of measuring equilibrium and the factors that affect
equilibrium will be covered.

Chemical equilibrium is the state of a reversible

reaction where the rate of the forward reaction equals the rate of the reverse reaction.
While a reaction is in equilibrium the concentration of the reactants and products are
constant.

There are many examples of chemical equilibrium all around you. One example is
a bottle of fizzy cooldrink. In the bottle there is carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolved in the liquid.
There is also CO2 gas in the space between the liquid and the cap. There is a constant
movement of CO2 from the liquid to the gas phase, and from the gas phase into the
liquid. However, if you look at the bottle there does not appear to be any change. The
system is in equilibrium.
CO2(g) +H2O(l) ⇌ H2CO3(aq)
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 Without chemical equilibrium, life as we know it would not be possible. Another
example of equilibrium in our everyday lives goes on within our bodies. Hemoglobin is a
macromolecule that transports oxygen around our bodies. Without it we would not
survive. The hemoglobin must be able to take up oxygen, but also to release it and this is
done through changes in the chemical equilibrium of this reaction in different places in
our bodies.

hemoglobin(aq) + 4O2(g) ⇌ hemoglobin(O2)4 (aq)

Hemoglobin, inside red blood cells in the lungs, bonds with oxygen.
This oxyhemoglobin moves with the red blood cells through the blood stream to
cells throughout the body.

FUN FACT

An open system is one in which matter, or energy can flow

into or out of the system. In the liquid-gas demonstration we used,
the first beaker was an example of an open system because the
beaker could be heated or cooled (a change in energy), and water
vapor (the matter) could evaporate from the beaker.

A closed system is one in which energy can enter or leave,

but matter cannot. The second beaker with the glass cover is an
example of a closed system. The beaker can still be heated or cooled, but water vapor
cannot leave the system because the glass cover is a barrier. Condensation changes
the vapor to liquid and returns it to the beaker. In other words, there is no loss of matter
from the system.

In a closed system it is possible for reactions to be reversible, such as in the example

above. In a closed system, it is also possible for a chemical reaction to reach equilibrium.

Some reactions can take place in two directions. In one direction the reactants
combine to form the products. This is called the forward reaction. In the other direction,
the products react to form the reactants again. This is called the reverse reaction. A
special double-headed arrow (⇋) is used to show this type of reversible reaction:

XY + Z ⇋ X + YZ

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 A reversible reaction is a chemical reaction that can proceed in both the forward
and reverse directions. In other words, the reactants and products of the reaction may
reverse roles.

So, in the following reversible reaction:

H2(g) + I2(g) ⇋ 2HI(g)

• H2(g) + I2(g) → 2HI(g) is the forward reaction.

The forward reaction is always taken from the given equation and written from
left to right.

• 2HI(g) → H2(g) + I2(g) is the reverse reaction.

The reverse reaction is always taken from the given equation and written
from right to left.

DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM

There is a dynamic equilibrium in a reversible reaction when the rate of the forward
reaction equals the rate of the reverse reaction. The amounts of reactants and products
remain constant.

In the liquid-gas phase equilibrium demonstration, dynamic equilibrium was

reached when there was no observable change in the level of the water in the second
beaker even though evaporation and condensation continued to take place.

We will use the same reversible reaction that we used in the previous example:

H2(g) + I2(g) ⇋ 2HI(g)

The forward reaction is: H2(g)+I2(g)→2HI(g)

The reverse reaction is: 2HI(g)→H2(g)+I2(g)

When the rate of the forward reaction and the rate of the reverse reaction are
equal, the system is said to be in equilibrium. Figure 2.1 shows this. Initially (time = 00), the
rate of the forward reaction is high (fast). With time, the rate of the forward reaction
decreases. As the reaction gets closer to equilibrium the rate of decrease levels out until
the forward reaction has a constant rate.

Initially the rate of the reverse reaction is low (slow). As the reaction proceeds with
time, the rate of the reverse reaction increases. As the reaction progresses the rate of
increase levels out until the reverse reaction has a constant rate.

At this point the forward and reverse reaction rates are equal and this is called
equilibrium.

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 Figure 2.1: The change of rate of the forward and reverse reactions.

Although it is not always possible to observe any macroscopic changes, this does
not mean that the reaction has stopped. The forward and reverse reactions continue to
take place and so microscopic changes still occur in the system. This state is
called dynamic equilibrium.

THE EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANT

Consider the reversible chemical reaction:

aA + bB ⇋ cC + dD

aA and bB are the reactants, cC and dD are the products and a, b, c, and d are
the coefficients from the balanced chemical reaction.

When the rate of the forward reaction equals the rate of the reverse reaction, the
system is in chemical equilibrium. It is useful to know how much of each substance is in
the container - the amount of products compared to the amount of reactants. A simple
ratio from the balanced chemical equation gives us a number called the equilibrium
constant (Kc).

[A], [B], [C] and [D] are the molar concentrations of each substance present at
equilibrium. The equation for the equilibrium constant uses the concentrations of the
reactants and products. Square brackets mean the concentration of the compound
written within the square brackets: [x] means the concentration of x. The equilibrium
constant (Kc) is the ratio between the concentration of products and reactants in a
chemical reaction.

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 When the concentration of the reactants is much larger than the concentration of
the products, Kc will be small (normally less than one). When the concentration of the
reactants is much less than that of the products, Kc will be large (normally greater than
one).
For example:
2NO(g) + 2H2(g) ⇌ N2(g) + 2H2O(g)

• The reactants are NO and H2.

• The products are N2 and H2O.

It is important to look at the coefficients of the equation as well:

2NO(g) + 2H2(g) ⇌ 1N2(g) + 2H2O(g)

Kc for this equation will be written as follows:

Tips on how to compute for Kc:

• Read and analyze the problem or question carefully.
• Consider the concentrations or conditions at equilibrium.
• Follow the RICEE method (shown below).

R Reaction the balanced chemical equation

the moles of reactants and products at the beginning of the

I Initial quantity
reaction

how much the moles of the reactants and products changed

C Change
between the beginning of the reaction and the equilibrium

E Equilibrium quantity the moles of the reactants and products at equilibrium

Equilibrium
E to calculate Kc, you need the concentration of the reactants and
concentration
products at equilibrium

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 LE CHATELIER’S PRINCIPLE

Any factor that can affect the rate of either the forward or reverse reaction relative
to the other can potentially affect the equilibrium position. The following factors can
change the chemical equilibrium position of a reaction:

• concentration
• temperature
• pressure (for gaseous reactants)

Le Chatelier's Principle helps to predict what effect a change in temperature,

concentration, or pressure will have on the position of the equilibrium in a chemical
reaction. This is very important, particularly in industrial applications, where yields must be
accurately predicted and maximized.

So, if the concentration of one (or more) of the reactants or products is increased
the equilibrium will shift to decrease the concentration or if the temperature is decreased
the equilibrium will shift to increase the temperature by favoring the exothermic reaction.

Le Chatelier's principle states that:

• If you change the concentration of a reactant then the position of the

equilibrium will shift to counteract that change.
• If you change the temperature of the reaction the equilibrium will shift to
counteract that change.
• If you change the pressure of the system, the position of the equilibrium will shift
to counteract that change.

Effect of Concentration on Equilibrium

• If the concentration of a substance is changed, the equilibrium will shift to

minimize the effect of that change.
• If the concentration of a reactant is increased the equilibrium will shift in the
direction of the reaction that uses the reactants, so that the reactant
concentration decreases. The forward reaction is favored.
• The forward reaction is also favored if the concentration of the product is
decreased, so that more product is formed.
• If the concentration of a reactant is decreased the equilibrium will shift in the
direction of the reaction that produces the reactants, so that the reactant
concentration increases. The reverse reaction is favored.
• The reverse reaction is also favored if the concentration of the product is
increased, so that the product is used.

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 For example, in the reaction between sulfur dioxide and oxygen to produce sulfur
trioxide:

2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇋ 2SO3(g)

If the SO2 or O2 concentration was increased:

• Le Chatelier's principle predicts that equilibrium will shift to decrease the
concentration of reactants.
• Increasing the rate of the forward reaction will mean a decrease in reactants.
• So, some of the sulfur dioxide or oxygen is used to produce sulfur trioxide.
• Equilibrium shifts to the right. That is, when a new equilibrium is reached (when
the rate of forward and reverse reactions is equal again), there will be more
product than before.
When the concentration of reactants is increased, the equilibrium shifts to the right
and there will be more product than before. There will also be more reactants than
before (more reactants were added). Once equilibrium has been reestablished (the rate
of the forward and reverse reactions is equal again), Kc will be the same as it was before
the change to the system.

Effect of Temperature on Equilibrium

• If the temperature of a reaction mixture is changed, the equilibrium will shift to

minimize that change.
• If the temperature is increased the equilibrium will shift to favor the reaction
which will reduce the temperature. The endothermic reaction is favored.
• If the temperature is decreased the equilibrium will shift to favor the reaction
which will increase the temperature. The exothermic reaction is favored.

For example, the forward reaction shown below is exothermic (shown by the
negative value for ΔH). This means that the forward reaction, where nitrogen and
hydrogen react to form ammonia, gives off heat, increasing the temperature (the
forward reaction is exothermic). In the reverse reaction, where ammonia decomposes
into hydrogen and nitrogen gas, heat is taken in by the reaction, cooling the vessel (the
reverse reaction is endothermic).

Remember that heat is released during an exothermic reaction. It is a product of

the reaction.

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 N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇋ 2NH3(g) ΔH=−92kJ

An increase in temperature:
• Favors the endothermic reaction because it takes in energy (cools the
container).
• The reverse reaction is endothermic, so the reverse reaction is favored.
• The yield of NH3 will decrease.

A decrease in temperature:
• Favors the exothermic reaction because it releases energy (warms the
container).
• The forward reaction is exothermic, so the forward reaction is favored.
• The yield of NH3 will increase.

Effect of Pressure on Equilibrium

• If the pressure of a gaseous reaction mixture is changed the equilibrium will shift
to minimize that change.
• If the pressure is increased the equilibrium will shift to favor a decrease in
pressure.
• If the pressure is decreased the equilibrium will shift to favor an increase in
pressure.

When the volume of a system is decreased (and the temperature is constant), the
pressure will increase. There are more collisions with the walls of the container. If there are
fewer gas molecules there will be fewer collisions, and therefore lower pressure. The
equilibrium will shift in a direction that reduces the number of gas molecules so that the
pressure is also reduced. So, to predict in which direction the equilibrium will shift to
change pressure you need to look at the number of gas molecules in the
balanced reactions.

Remember from General Chemistry 1 that:

P ∝ TV
That is, if the temperature remains constant, and the volume is
increased, the pressure will decrease.

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 Using Le Chatelier's Principle

When a system is in chemical equilibrium, and there has been a change in

conditions (e.g. concentration, pressure, temperature) the following steps are suggested:

• Identify the disturbance or stress on the system.

• Use Le Chatelier's principle to decide how the system will respond.
• Look at the given equation and decide whether the rate of the forward reaction
or the rate of the reverse reaction is increased. State the shift in equilibrium.
• If appropriate, link the equilibrium shift to any observed change in the system.

“Discipline is a way of focusing energy and attention on what

matters. Benedictine life is built around a fundamental discipline
of prayer, work and relationships that is set forth in the Rule and
that seeks to free a monastic to take delight in God's presence
within the self, the community and the world. New members are
taught how to cultivate the discipline of monastic life and to
realize that it takes a lifetime of practice to develop fully the skills
needed to engage the passion and direct the cares of a
person's life.” (Benedictine Hallmarks, 2020)
How do the concepts of chemical equilibrium and Le Chatelier’s Principle relate to Discipline as one of
the Benedictine Hallmarks? In what specific situation do you apply its relevance in your life?

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References

Benedictine Hallmarks. (2020). Retrieved from Benedictine Univeristy: http://www.ben.edu/center-for-mission-and-

identity/resources/hallmarks.cfm
(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.siyavula.com/read/science/grade-12/chemical-equilibrium/08-chemical-equilibrium-03
Organo, V. G., & Villanueva, D. U. (2018). General Chemistry 2. Malaysia: Oxford Publishing.

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