Chemistry Core Concept Cheat Sheet 20: Equilibrium

Key Chemistry Terms

Reversible Reaction: Reaction that can proceed in both directions Equilibrium: When the rate of the forward and reverse of a reversible process are equal. Dynamic equilibrium: The number of reactants and products do not change, but the reaction continues to occur in both directions. Equilibrium constant expression: Equation showing the ratio of the concentration of products to reactants with the balanced equation coefficients as powers. Equilibrium constant (K): The value found when equilibrium concentrations are plugged into the equilibrium constant expression. Homogeneous equilibrium: When all species are the same state of matter. Heterogeneous equilibrium: When there are at least 2 different states of matter present. Reaction Quotient (Q): When concentrations at any time are plugged into the equilibrium constant expression. Used to determine if a system is at equilibrium. Solubility Product (Ksp): Equilibrium constant for a dissolution reaction. Dissolution reaction: The process of a solid dissolving and forming ions. Saturated solution: A solution that is at equilibrium. Solubility: The amount of a solid that will completely dissolve to form a saturated solution. Le Chateliers Principle: A system at equilibrium will readjust to reach equilibrium again when disturbed. Exothermic reaction: System gives off energy to the surroundings. Energy can be thought of as a product. Endothermic reaction: System gains energy from the surroundings. Energy can be thought of as a reactant.

Using ICE Charts

ICE charts a technique for organizing information in an equilibrium problem Make a table with the reactants and products across the top Place ICE down the left hand side, for Initial, Change and Equilibrium. Fill in any given information from the problem. Use the balanced equations stoichiometric ratio to determine the change row. Solving problems with ICE Charts: If an equilibrium concentration is known, you can determine the change and find the other equilibrium concentrations to plug in and solve for K If you dont know any equilibrium concentrations, write expressions for them and plug in the expressions into your K equation to solve for them. o If the K is very tiny (10-5 or smaller), you may approximate that the change is insignficiant compared to the orginal value (if the original value is > 0) e.g.: 0.25 M x 0.25 M

Solubility Product
Writing solubility product expressions Same as writing K expressions. With a dissolution reaction, the reactant is always a pure solid and is therefore never included. Reaction Quotient can be used in solubility as well: If Q = K, its at equilibrium (saturated solution) If Q > K, there are too many ions present, some will re-form solid (precipitate) and leave a saturated solution present. If Q < K, the solution is unsaturatedmore solid could dissolve Determining solubility: Set the initial concentration of the solid to x and the equilibrium concentration to 0. Solve with an ICE chart to find x and that is the solubility.

Establishing Equilibrium
Equilibrium is not established instantly. The forward reaction must produce products, which can then reform reactants. As the forward rate slows and the reverse rate increases, equilibrium will be established.

Equilibrium Constants
Writing equilibrium constant expressions Write the concentration of the products over the concentration of the reactants. Do not include pure solids or pure liquidsonly gases and solutions Use the coefficients of the balanced equations as powers for each species. Finding equilibrium constant: Plug in equilibrium concentrations into the equilibrium constant expression

Le Chateliers Principle
The system will try to un-do what you did Change made Add reactant Remove reactant Add a product Remove a product Decrease volume Increase volume Reaction will shift towards Products Reactants Reactants Products Side with least gas particles Side with most gas particles

Reaction Quotient
Writing Reaction Quotient Expressions: Same as for K expressions Finding reaction quotient: Plug in concentrations at any time Determining if a system is at equilibrium: If Q = K, its at equilibrium If Q > K, the reaction will proceed to the left (remove exctra products and form more reactants) to reach equilibrium If Q < K, the reaction will proceed to the right (remove extra reactants and form more products) to reach equlibrium

For endothermic reactions, think of energy (temperature) as a reactant and follow guide above. For exothermic reactions, think of energy (temperature) as a product and follow guide above. Changes that do not affect equilibrium: Adding/removing a pure solid or liquid Adding/removing a non-reactive gas Changing the volume of a reaction with equal number of gas particles on each side. Adding a catalyst

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