JIT Grade 12 Chemical Equilibrium Learner Notes

PHYSICAL SCIENCES
CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM GRADE 12
1 PHYSICAL SCIENCES GRADE 12

CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM
A dynamic equilibrium when the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the reverse
reaction AND the concentrations of the reactants and the products remain constant.
Reaction not in equilibrium
Reactions in Equilibrium

Concentration
Shift in Equilibrium

LE CHATELIER’S PRINCIPLE
When the equilibrium in a closed system is disturbed, the system will re-instate a new equilibrium by
favouring the reaction that will oppose the disturbance.
• If a reactant or product's concentration is increased, the reaction AWAY from the

increasement is favored. (To work off the higher concentration)
• If a reactant or product's concentration is decreased, the reaction TOWARDS the decreased

concentration is favoured. (To supplement the lower concentration)
• If the temperature is increased, the reaction is favoured in the direction of the endothermic
reaction. (To counter the increase in energy)

• If the temperature is lowered, the reaction is favoured in the direction of the exothermic
reaction. (To replenish the energy deficit)
• If the pressure is increased, the reaction is favoured in the direction of the least number of
particles. (To make room for all the particles)
• If the pressure is lowered, the reaction is favoured in the direction of the greatest number of
particles. (Because there is then enough room for more particles)

Change in Equilibruim
Concentration increase
Concentration decrease

Temperature increase
Temperature decrease

Pressure decrease
Catalyst added

Example:
The following reaction takes place during the Haber process to produce NH3:
N2 + 3H2 ⇌ 2NH3 H<0
When the production of NH3 must be increased the following could be applied:
 Decrease the concentration of NH3
 Increase the concentration of N2
 Increase the concentration of H2
 Lower the temperature
 Increase the pressure
• Decrease the concentration of NH3

• Increase the concentration of N2
• Increase the concentration of H2
• Lower the temperature
• Increase the pressure
Explain the change in Equilibrium
Follow the following steps to explain how the equilibrium will change when it is disturbed:
Step 1: Cancel all SOLIDS and SOLVENTS (H2O)

Step 2: Identify the disturbance.
Step 3: State Le Chatelier's principle.
Step 4: Identify the reaction that is favoured.
Step 5: Discuss the result: Change of colour or concentration or mass or pH ...
Equilibrium Constant
A mathematical ratio between the concentration of the products and the concentration of the
reactants at chemical equilibrium.
The ratio remains constant at a specific temperature and obeys Le Chatelier’s principle.

Equilibrium constant Calculations
Example 1:
3 mol of NO2 are placed in a 1,5 dm3 container and the equilibrium reaction below takes place.
At equilibrium, 0,3 mol of NO2 was found to be present in the container. Calculate the value of the
equilibrium constant (Kc value) for this reaction.

Example 2:
N2 and H2 react in a 1 dm3 container and reach equilibrium at 350 C. At equilibrium, there are
2 moles of H2 and 4 moles of NH3 present in the container. The equilibrium constant is 2.
Calculate: (i) the equilibrium concentration of N2 and (ii) the initial number of moles of H2 placed in
the container.
N2 (g) + 3H2 (g)  2NH3 (g) H < 0
Only TEMPERATURE can change the equilibrium constant
• It has already been established experimentally that the equilibrium constant is dependent
on temperature.
• Although the equilibrium position can be shifted by the change in CONCENTRATION and
PRESSURE, the value of the Kc value remains constant.
• TEMPERATURE is the only change that can change the Kc value!
• In the exam, the Kc value is therefore given or asked for a specific temperature.
• Determine if the FORWARD reaction is exothermic or endothermic!
• The Kc value of an exothermic reaction is lowered by an increase in temperature.

• The Kc value of an endothermic reaction is increased by an increase in temperature.
Chemical Equilibrium Graphs


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PHYSICAL SCIENCES

CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM GRADE 12

1 PHYSICAL SCIENCES GRADE 12

Reaction not in equilibrium

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• If a reactant or product's concentration is increased, the reaction AWAY from the

• If a reactant or product's concentration is decreased, the reaction TOWARDS the decreased

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N2 + 3H2 ⇌ 2NH3 H<0

• Decrease the concentration of NH3

Explain the change in Equilibrium

Step 1: Cancel all SOLIDS and SOLVENTS (H2O)

9 PHYSICAL SCIENCES GRADE 12

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Only TEMPERATURE can change the equilibrium constant

• TEMPERATURE is the only change that can change the Kc value!

• Determine if the FORWARD reaction is exothermic or endothermic!

• The Kc value of an exothermic reaction is lowered by an increase in temperature.

12 PHYSICAL SCIENCES GRADE 12

Chemical Equilibrium Graphs

13 PHYSICAL SCIENCES GRADE 12

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