Reversible reactions
Most reactions are one directional.ie. Permanent products are produced.
.eg. CaCO3(s) CaO(s) + CO2(g)
The arrow shows that the reaction is irreversible because products cannot recombine to form
reactants.
Some reactions are reversible.ie. They can move backward and forward. This is denoted by a
reverse arrow ( ) between reactants and products.
.eg. N2 + 3H2 2NH3 (Haber process)
SO2 + O2 SO3 (Contact process)
EQUILIBRIUM REACTION (∆≡m)
At equilibrium, the rate of forward and backward reactions is equal in a closed system and there
is no overall change.ie. the reaction appears to have stopped.
Dynamic equilibrium
Two chemical reactions take place at the same time, where concentration/amounts of reactants
and products remain constant because the rate of forward and backward reactions are the same
and change is taking place continuously.
NB: Dynamic-reactions are still continuing
Equilibrium-total amount of substances is constant.
Factors affecting the equilibrium reaction
These are; Concentration, Temperature (Exothermic and endothermic reactions), Pressure
(gases).
Le-Chateliers principle is used to explain the effect of these factors.
Le-Chateliers principle
If an equilibrium mixture/reaction is disturbed then the composition of the equilibrium will
try and remove the disturbance by shifting in the direction that opposes the change.
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a) Concentration
When concentration of reactants is increased, the reaction at equilibrium will shift
forward; ie More products are produced. When the concentration of reactants is
decreased, the reactions shift backward to replace the decreased concentration. This
helps to maintain equilibrium.
b) Pressure (affects gases only)
If pressure of a system is increased, the equilibrium shifts with fewer number of gas
molecules/less pressure.
.eg. 1N2 + 3H2 2NH3
4 molecules ( high p. ) 2 molecules (low pressure)
Reactants are at higher pressure because they have more molecules/moles (4) than products
which have fewer molecules (2). When pressure is increased, the equilibrium will shift forward
to reduce the pressure of the system hence more ammonia will be produced at high pressure.
When pressure is decreased, the reaction will shift backwards/to the reactants to maintain the
equilibrium.
c) Temperature
The value of delta H (∆H) is used to determine the direction in which the equilibrium will
shift when temperature changes.
i) EXOTHERMIC REACTIONS
RE: ∆H is negative
.eg. 2S + O2 2SO3 ∆H = -1978 KJ
Heating (increase temperature of) an exothermic reaction which is at equilibrium may
cause the reaction to shift backward/to the reactants/to the Endothermic side hence more
reactants are formed. This is because the reactant side absorbs excess heat provided hence
enabling the equilibrium to be maintained.
If an exothermic reaction is cooled, it will shift forward/to the exothermic side so that
more heat can be produced to replace removed heat.
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ii) ENDOTHERMIC REACTIONS
RE: ∆H is positive
.eg. CH4 + H2O CO + 3H2 ∆H = +206 KJ/mol
Increase in temperature of an endothermic reaction at equilibrium favours the formation
of products. .ie The equilibrium reaction will shift forward/to the Exothermic side to
maintain the equilibrium. This means that more CO and H 2 are produced at high
temperature to absorb excess heat supplied.
Exercise.
1. Predict whether the following equilibrium reactions will shift forward/ towards
products or backward/towards reactants when temperature is increased and give
reasons.
a) N2O4 (g) 2NO2 (g) ∆H = +57 KJ/mol
Answer: forward/towards products
Reason: it is an endothermic reaction hence adding heat may cause N 2O4 to decompose faster as
it absorbs excess heat to maintain equilibrium.
b) CO + H2O CO2 + H2 ∆H = -41 KJ/mol
Answer: …………………………………………………………………………………………..
Reason: ……………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Phosphorus pentachloride reversibly dissociate to give phosphorus trichloride and
chlorine gas and for the reaction; ∆H = +93 KJ/mole. In a closed system, the gases
exist in dynamic equilibrium.
i) Construct a balanced with state symbols equation for this dissociation.
…………………………………………………………………………………..
ii) Is the amount of phosphorus pentachloride increased or decreased by
increasing temperature.?
…………………………………………………………………………………
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iii) Is the pressure of the system increased or decreased by increasing
temperature. Explain your answer.
…………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………….
Reversible reactions and the Haber process
Reaction;
a) 1N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g) ∆H = -92 KJ/mol
4 molecules 2 molecules
Optimum conditions chosen were: Pressure- 200 atm, Temperature- 450 0C.
When temperature is increased, equilibrium will shift backward/more reactants produced, this destroys
ammonia therefore more ammonia can only be produced at lower temperatures. But this is a very slow
process.
When pressure is increased, more ammonia is produced/equilibrium shifts to the products because there
are fewer molecules of a gas. Very high pressure is not economic because it is expensive to contain very
large quantities of ammonia hence optimum conditions are maintained.
NB: Catalyst influences both backward and forward reaction and makes the reaction to reach
equilibrium faster but does not have an effect on the yield of ammonia..
