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We are eager to have you join us !! PRIMARY 6

In today’s Chemistry class, We will be learning about Chemical

Equilibrium. We hope you enjoy the class! FULL SUBJECT
SYLLABUS

 First Term
CONTENT
 Second Term

Reversible Reactions
Rates of
Le Chatelier’s Principle
Chemical
Factors Affecting Chemical Equilibrium
Reaction
Equilibrium Constant

Exothermic
and
Endothermic
Reactions

Chemical
Equilibrium
 
Oxygen and its
Compounds

Chlorine and
other
Halogens

Nitrogen

Compounds of
Nitrogen

Sulphur
EQUILIBRIUM

Compounds of
Equilibrium can be defined as the state of a system where there
Sulphur
is no observable or detectable change in the properties of the
system with respect to time. Examples of a system in  Third Term
equilibrium
Open All · Close All

1. a balanced seesaw
2. a saturated solution of NaCl

STATIC AND DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM

Static equilibrium is attained when a system in equilibrium is in

a state of rest or stationary state.

Example of this is a balanced seesaw

Dynamic equilibrium can occur during a physical change or a

chemical change that is reversible. Dynamic equilibrium
involving a physical change is referred to as physical equilibrium
while that involving a chemical change is a chemical
equilibrium.

A system is said to be in a state of dynamic equilibrium when

both the forward and backward reactions take place at the same
rate. Example

N2O4(g) 2NO2(g)

EQUILIBRIUM IN REVERSIBLE REACTION

A reversible reaction is one which proceeds in both forward and

backward directions under suitable conditions.

For example: NH4Cl(s) NH3(g) + HCl(g)

A reversible reaction is said to be in dynamic equilibrium when

both the forward and backward reaction is occurring at the
same rate, thereby producing no net change in concentrations of
the reactants or products.

Properties of a system in equilibrium

1. A chemical reaction at equilibrium is in a dynamic state

when the rates of the forward and backward reactions are
equal.
2. The equilibrium position can be reached from reactants
alone or form product alone
 3. For equilibrium to be established, the system must be
closed

FACTORS AFFECTING THE POSITION OF EQUILIBRIUM

The position of equilibrium depends on the following set of

condition

1. Temperature
2. Concentration
3. Pressure (for gases)

Variation in any of these factors will upset the balance of the

system and results in a shift in the position of the equilibrium.
These factors and their effect on chemical systems in
equilibrium were studied by Le Chatelier’s who formed the Le
Chatelier’s principle.

Le Chatelier’s principle states that if a chemical system is in

equilibrium and one of the factors involved in the equilibrium is
altered, the equilibrium position will shift so as to neutralize the
effect of the change.

Importance of Le Chatelier’s principle in the chemical industry:

It helps to

1. Define optimum conditions for chemical process

2. Reduce undesirable reversibility
3. Predict the effect of altered factors on the equilibrium
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE

For an endothermic reaction, increase in temperature shifts the

position of equilibrium to the right. That is, the forward reaction
is favoured while a decrease in temperature favours the
backward reaction. The reverse is the case for exothermic
reactions.

EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION

In a system of equilibrium, if the concentration of reactants is

increased or product decreased, the forward reaction will be
favoured, that is; equilibrium position shifts to the right. Also, if
the concentration of the products is increased or reactant
decreased, the backward reaction will be favoured, equilibrium
position shifts to the left.

EFFECT OF PRESSURE

The pressure of a gas is proportional to the number of moles.

Increase in the number of moles implies an increase in pressure
and vice visa. If the forward reaction proceeds by decreases in
the number of moles (pressure), an imposed increase pressure
will favour forward reaction. The reverse is the case if it
proceeds by an increase in the number of moles (pressure). In
other words, when high pressure is applied, equilibrium will shift
to the side with less number of moles while when low pressure
is applied, equilibrium will shift to the side with the greater
number of moles.

N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g)

1 mole 3 moles 2 moles

Increase in pressure favours forward reaction while a decrease

in pressure favours backward reaction

EFFECT OF CATALYST

A catalyst does not change (affect) the position of equilibrium.

Addition of catalyst, however, increases the rate of both forward
and backward reaction by lowering the activation of the energy
of the reaction.

The equilibrium position is attained at a faster rate when a

catalyst is present.

EVALUATION

1. State Le Chatelier’s principle

2. Explain the effect of
1. Increase in temperature
decrease in pressure

on the following reaction

2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2SO3(g) H=

-3957KJmol-1
HABER PROCESS

Haber process is an industrial process for the manufacture of

ammonia.

Ammonia, NH3, is an important chemical for the manufacture of

fertilizers. During the process, the following equilibrium is
established

N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g) H = -96KJmol-

1

1 mole 3 moles 2 moles

CHOICE OF TEMPERATURE

Since the forward reaction is exothermic, Le Chatelier’s principle

shows that the greatest yield of ammonia, NH3, would be
obtained at low temperature. However, if the temperature is too
low, the time taken to reach equilibrium would be much. A
temperature of 5000C gives a reasonable yield of ammonia.

CHOICE OF PRESSURE

Since forward reaction leads to a decrease in the number of

moles (pressure), Le Chatelier’s principle shows that high yield
of ammonia would be obtained at high pressure. The pressure
of 25atm gives a satisfactory yield.

CHOICE OF CATALYST

Iron is used as a catalyst in the Haber process. Iron is found to

be effective in speeding up the rate of which equilibrium is
reached. It is used in the form of small pellets which increased
the surface area available for contact.

EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANT (K) AND LAW OF MASS ACTION

The law of mass action states that at a constant temperature,

the rate of reaction is proportional to the active masses of each
of the reactants;

The active mass of the reactants is the concentration of the

substance raised to the power of coefficient (number of moles)
of that substance in the equation of reaction under study.

NOTE: Active mass = molar concentration x activity coefficient

In most reactions, the active masses of the reactant may be

taken as their molar concentrations.

Example:

aA + bB products

Thus, r α [A]a and r α [B]b

where [ ] represents concentration in moldm-3

r α [A]a x [B]b

r = k [A]a [B]b

where k is called equilibrium constants

Applying the law to the reversible reaction represented by the

equation below:
aA(aq) + bB(aq) cC(aq) + dD(aq)

Kc= [C]c [D]d

[A]a [B]b

Where Kc is called equilibrium constant

For reactions involving gases, the equilibrium constant is

expressed in terms of the partial pressures of the gases
involved in the reaction.

Therefore, for the general gaseous reaction:

aA(g) + bB(g) cC(g) + dD(g)

Kp = PCc × PDdPAa × PBb

Where Kp is the equilibrium constant for the gaseous reaction,

PA, PB, PC and PD are partial pressures of gases A, B, C and D
respectively.

NOTE: For a given reaction, concentrations of solids are ignored.

A Kc or Kp value greater than one tells you that product
formation is favoured at equilibrium; while a Kc or Kp value less
than one tells you that reactants formation is favoured at
equilibrium. A system in equilibrium has Kc or Kp value equal to
one.

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION
 1. State the conditions for the optimum yield of ammonia in
the Haber process.
2. State Le Chatelier’s principle
3. Define the following terms and state how they vary
across a period and down a group: Ionization energy,
Electronegativity, Electron affinity
4. Define oxidation, reduction, oxidizing agent and reducing
agent in terms of electron transfer
5. An organic compound contains the following by mass:
0.188g of C, 0.062g of H and 0.25g of O. If the vapour
density of the compound is 16, determine its molecular
formula.

READING ASSIGNMENT

New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary School by O.Y.

Ababio (6th edition) Pages 265-275

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

SECTION A: Write the correct option ONLY.

1. When the concentration of both reactants and product

are equal

A. K = 1 B. K > 1 C. K ≥1 D. K = 0

2. In the reaction

2SO2(g) + O2(g)
2SO3(g) H = -xkJ/mole
 increase in temperature favours the A. backward
reaction B. forward reaction C. yield of SO3

3. How is the equilibrium constant for the forward reaction

(Kf) related to that of the reverse reaction (Kr)?

A. Kr is the additive inverse of Kf B. Kr is the multiplicative

inverse of Kf C. Kr is same as Kf D. The product of Kr
and Kf is zero

4. The equilibrium constant expression involves A. solid,

liquid and gaseous species B. gaseous species only C.
species in aqueous solution only D. species in aqueous
solution and gases only

5. Increase in pressure favours the forward reaction for an

equilibrium reaction that proceeds with A. increase in
pressure B. decrease in the number of moles C. no change
in pressure D. increase in the number of moles

SECTION B

1. State Le Chatelier’s principle

2. Calculate (a) the equilibrium constant (Kp) for the
reaction below at 45oC

(b) the equilibrium constant for the backward

reaction below:

H2(g) + I2(g) 2HI(g)

 3. Given that the partial pressure for H2, I2 and HI are
0.065atm, 0.45atm and 0.245atm respectively. From your
answer, deduce which of the reaction is favoured.

We have come to the end of this class. We do hope you enjoyed

the class?

Should you have any further question, feel free to ask in the
comment section below and trust us to respond as soon as
possible.

In our next class, we will be learning about Oxygen and its

Compounds. We are very much eager to meet you there.

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