Chemical Equilibria Heat is energy flowing from a high temperature object to a low temperature object. When the two objects are at the same temperature, there is no net flow of energy or heat. That is why a covered cup of coffee will not be colder than or warmer than the room temperature after it has been in there for a few hours. This phenomenon is known as equilibrium. In this example, we deal with the flow of energy.
Equilibria happen in phase transitions. For example, if the temperature in a system containing a mixture of ice and water is uniformly 273.15 K, the net amount of ice formed and the melt will be zero. The amount of liquid water will also remain constant, if no vapour escape from the system. In this case, three phases, ice (solid) water (liquid), and vapour (gas) are in equilibrium with one another. Similarly, equilibrium can also be established between the vapour phase and the liquid at a particular temperature. Equilibrium conditions also exist between solid phase and vapour phases. These are phase equilibria.
Chemical reactions may not be as complete as we have assumed in Stoichiometry calculations. For example, the following reaction are far short of completion. 2 NO2 = N2O4
3 H2 + N2 = 2 NH3
H2O + CO = H2 + CO2
Let us consider only the first reaction in this case. At room temperature, it is impossible to have pure NO2 or N2O4. However, in a sealed tube ( closed system), the ratio [N2O4] ------- [NO2]2
is a constant. This phenomenon is known as chemical equilibrium. Such a law of nature is called the law of mass action or mass action law.
Of course, when conditions, such as pressure and temperature, change, a period of time is required for the system to establish an equilibrium.
Before we introduce the mass action law, it is important for us to identify a system or a closed system in our discussion. The law provides an expression for a constant for all reversible reactions.
For systems that are not at equilibrium yet, the ratio calculated from the mass action law is called a reaction quotient Q. The Q values of a closed system have a tendency to reach a limiting value called equilibrium constant Kover time. A system has a tendency to reach an equilibrium state.
A Closed System for the Equilibrium StateIn order to discuss equilibrium, we must define a system, which may be a cup of water, a balloon, a laboratory, a planet or a universe. Thus, for discussion purpose, we define an isolated portion of the universe as a system, and anything outside of the system is called environment.When the system under consideration is isolated from its environment in such a way that there is no energy or mass transferred into or out of the system, the system is said to be a closed system.
In a closed system, changes continue, but eventually there is no NET change over time. Such a state is called an equilibrium state.
For example, a glass containing water is an open system. Evaporation let water molecules to escape into the air by absorbing energy from the environment until the glass is empty. When covered and insulated it is a closed system. Water vapour in the space above water eventually reaches a equilibrium vapour pressure.
In fact, measuring of temperature itself requires the thermometer to be at the same state as the system it measures. We read the temperature of the thermometer when heat transfer between the thermometer and the system stops (at equilibrium).
Equilibrium states are reached for physical as well as chemical reactions. Equilibrium is dynamic in the sense that changes continue, but the net change is zero.
Reversible Chemical ReactionsHeat transfer, vapourization, melting, and other phase changes are physical changes. These changes are reversible and you have already experienced them.Many chemical reactions are also reversible. For exampleN2O4=2 NO2colourlessbrown
and N2 + 3 H2 = 2 NH3
are reversible chemical reactions.
The Law of Mass ActionThe law of mass action is universal, applicable under any circumstance. However, for reactions that are complete, the result may not be very useful. We introduce the mass action law by using a general chemical reaction equation in which reactants A and B react to give product C and D. a A + b B --> c C + d Dwhere a, b, c, d are the coefficients for a balanced chemical equation.
The mass action law states that if the system is at equilibrium at a given temperature, then the following ratio is a constant.[C]c [D]d
------------- = Keq
[A]a [B]b
The square brackets "[ ]" around the chemical species represent their concentrations. This is the ideal law of chemical equilibrium or law of mass action.
The units for K depend upon the units used for concentrations. If M is used for all concentrations, K has unitsMc+d-(a+b)
The Reaction Quotients Q and the Equilibrium Constants KIf the system is NOT at equilibrium, the ratio is different from the equilibrium constant. In such cases, the ratio is called a reaction quotient which is designated as Q. [C]c [D]d------------- = Q
[A]a [B]b
A system not at equilibrium tend to become equilibrium, and the changes will cause changes in Q that its value approaches the equilibrium constant, KQ ® Keq.
For example the law of mass conservation.
No, the mass of an object does not have an effect on Newton's third law. Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction regardless of the mass of the objects involved.
This is an example of the law of conservation of mass. It states that the total mass of substances before a chemical reaction is the same as the total mass of substances after the reaction.
Law of Mass Action states that rate of a reaction is directly proportional to the product of concentration of reactant with each concentration raised to the power equal to its respective stoichiometric coefficient as represented by the balanced chemical equation. It is also called the law of chemical equilibrium.
Yes. This is an example of the law of conservation of matter/mass.
For example the law of mass conservation.
"Action and reaction", or "For every action there is a reaction"."Action and reaction", or "For every action there is a reaction"."Action and reaction", or "For every action there is a reaction"."Action and reaction", or "For every action there is a reaction".
No, the mass of an object does not have an effect on Newton's third law. Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction regardless of the mass of the objects involved.
matter can not be created or distroyed
This is an example of the law of conservation of mass. It states that the total mass of substances before a chemical reaction is the same as the total mass of substances after the reaction.
An example of Boyle's law in action is when you use a syringe to draw liquid medication. As you pull back the plunger, the volume inside the syringe increases, causing the pressure to decrease according to Boyle's law.
Newton's Second law is: F=ma Force is the product of mass times acceleration. Newton's Third law is : At Equilibrium Condition, For every Action there is an equal and opposite Re-Action.
Yes, jumping is an example of Newton's third law in action. When you push down on the ground, the ground pushes back with an equal and opposite force, propelling you into the air.
Newton's law of universal gravitation is an example of a scientific law. It states that every mass attracts every other mass with a force proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Newton's Second law is: F=ma Force is the product of mass times acceleration. Newton's Third law is : At Equilibrium Condition, For every Action there is an equal and opposite Re-Action.
An example of Henry's Law in action is when carbon dioxide gas dissolves in a carbonated beverage. The amount of carbon dioxide that can dissolve in the liquid is directly proportional to the pressure of the gas above the liquid, as described by Henry's Law equation.
Congress passes a law to create a new government agency.