Chemical Equilibrium

• What is equilibrium?
• Expressions for equilibrium constants, Kc;
• Calculating Kc using equilibrium concentrations;
• Calculating equilibrium concentrations using initial
concentration and Kc value;
• Relationship between Kc and Kp;
• Factors that affect equilibrium;
• Le Chatelier’s Principle
What is Equilibrium?
This is not Equilibrium?
 Chemical Equilibrium in Nature:
(The formation of stalagmites and Stalactites)
 Chemical Equilibrium
• Consider the following reactions:
CaCO3(s) + CO2(aq) + H2O(l)  Ca2+(aq) + 2HCO3-(aq) ..(1)
and
Ca2+(aq) + 2HCO3-(aq)  CaCO3(s) + CO2(aq) + H2O(l) ..(2)

Reaction (2) is the reverse of reaction (1).

At equilibrium the two opposing reactions occur at the
same rate.
Concentrations of chemical species do not change once
equilibrium is established.
 Expression for Equilibrium Constant

Consider the following equilibrium system:

wA + xB ⇄ yC + zD
[C] y [D] z
Kc =
[A] w [B] x

• The numerical value of Kc is calculated using the

concentrations of reactants and products that exist at
equilibrium.
 Expressions for Equilibrium Constants

• Examples:
[NH 3 ] 2
N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇄ 2NH3(g); Kc = [N 2 ][H 2 ]3

[PCl 3 ][Cl 2 ]
PCl5(g) ⇄ PCl3(g) + Cl2(g); Kc = [PCl 5 ]

CH4(g) + H2(g) ⇄ CO(g) + 3H2(g);

[CO][H 2 ]3
Kc =
[CH 4 ][H 2 O]
 Calculating Equilibrium Constant

• Example-1:
1.000 mole of H2 gas and 1.000 mole of I2 vapor are
introduced into a 5.00-liter sealed flask. The mixture is
heated to a certain temperature and the following reaction
occurs until equilibrium is established.
H2(g) + I2(g) ⇄ 2HI(g)
At equilibrium, the mixture is found to contain 1.580 mole
of HI. (a) What are the concentrations of H2, I2 and HI at
equilibrium? (b) Calculate the equilibrium constant Kc.
 Calculating Equilibrium Constant
for reaction: H2(g) + I2(g) ⇄ 2HI(g)
• ————————————————————————————
• H2(g) + I2(g) ⇄ 2 HI(g)
• ————————————————————————————
• Initial [ ], M: 0.200 0.200 0.000
• Change in [ ], M: -0.158 -0.158 + 0.316
• Equilibrium [ ], M 0.042 0.042 0.316
• ————————————————————————————

[HI] 2 (0.316) 2
Kc = = 2
= 57
[H 2 ][I 2 ] (0.042 )
 Calculating Equilibrium Constant

• Example-2:
0.500 mole of HI is introduced into a 1.00 liter sealed flask
and heated to a certain temperature. Under this condition
HI decomposes to produce H2 and I2 until an equilibrium is
established. An analysis of the equilibrium mixture shows
that 0.105 mole of HI has decomposed. Calculate the
equilibrium concentrations of H2, I2 and HI, and the
equilibrium constant Kc for the following reaction:
H2(g) + I2(g) ⇄ 2HI(g),
 Calculating Equilibrium Constant

• The reaction: H2(g) + I2(g) ⇄ 2HI(g), proceeds from

right to left.
• ————————————————————————————
• H2(g) + I2(g) ⇄ 2HI(g)
• ————————————————————————————
• Initial [ ], M: 0.000 0.000 0.500
• Change in [ ], M: +0.0525 +0.0525 -0.105
• Equil’m [ ], M 0.0525 0.0525 0.395
• ————————————————————————————
2
(0.395)
Kc = 2
= 56.6
(0.0525)
 Expression and Value of
Equilibrium Constant for a Reaction

• The expression for K depends on the equation;

• The value of K applies to that equation; it does
not depend on how the reaction occurs;
• Concentrations used to calculate the value of K
are those measured at equilibrium.
 Relationships between chemical equations and
the expressions of equilibrium constants
• The expression of equilibrium constant depends on how the
equilibrium equation is written. For example, for the
following equilibrium: 2
[HI]
• H2(g) + I2(g) ⇄ 2 HI(g); Kc 
[H 2 ][I 2 ]
• For the reverse reaction:
[H 2 ][I 2 ]
• 2HI(g) ⇄ H2(g) + I2(g); K c '  2
 1/K c
[HI]

• And for the reaction: HI(g) ⇄ ½H2(g) + ½I2(g);

[H 2 ][ I 2 ]
Kc "  2
 Kc '  1
[HI] Kc
 Expression and Values of
Equilibrium Constant Using Partial Pressures

• Consider the following reaction involving

gases:
2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇄ 2SO3(g)
(PSO3 ) 2
Kp =
(PSO2 ) 2 (PO2 )
 The Relationship between Kc and Kp

• Consider the reaction: 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇄ 2SO3(g)

[SO]2 (PSO3 ) 2
• Kc = and Kp =
[SO2 ]2 [O 2 ] (PSO2 ) 2 (PO2 )
• Assuming ideal behavior,
• where PV = nRT and P = (n/V)RT = [M]RT
• and PSO3 = [SO3]RT; PSO2 = [SO2]RT; PO2 = [O2]RT
[SO 3 ]2 ( RT) 2 [SO 3 ]2
Kp  2 2
 2
( RT) -1
 K c ( RT) -1

[SO 2 ] ( RT) [O 2 ]( RT) [SO 2 ] [O 2 ]

 Relationship between Kc and Kp

• For reaction: PCl5(g)  PCl3(g) + Cl2(g);

(PPCl3 )( PCl2 ) [PCl 3 ]( RT) x [Cl 2 ]( RT)

Kp  
( PPCl5 ) [PCl 5 ]( RT)
[PCl 3 ][ Cl 2 ]
 ( RT) 1  K C ( RT) 1
[ PCl5 ]
 Relationship between Kc and Kp
• In general, for reactions involving gases such that,

• aA + bB ⇄ cC + dD
where A, B, C, and D are all gases, and a, b, c,
and d are their respective coefficients,
• Kp = Kc(RT)Dn
and Dn = (c + d) – (a + b)
(In heterogeneous systems, only the coefficients
of the gaseous species are counted.)
 Relationship between Kc and Kp
• For other reactions:
• 1. 2NO2(g) ⇄ N2O4(g); Kp = Kc(RT)-1
• 2. H2(g) + I2(g) ⇄ 2 HI(g); Kp = Kc
• 3. N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇄ 2 NH3(g); Kp = Kc(RT)-2
 Homogeneous & Heterogeneous Equilibria

Homogeneous equilibria:
CH4(g) + H2O(g) ⇄ CO(g) + 3H2(g);
CO(g) + H2O(g) ⇄ CO2(g) + H2(g);

Heterogeneous equilibria:
CaCO3(s) ⇄ CaO(s) + CO2(g);
HF(aq) + H2O(l) ⇄ H3O+(aq) + F-(aq);
PbCl2(s) ⇄ Pb2+(aq) + 2 Cl-(aq);
 Equilibrium Constant Expressions for
Heterogeneous System
• Examples:
CaCO3(s) ⇄ CaO(s) + CO2(g);
Kc = [CO2] Kp = PCO2; Kp = Kc(RT)

• HF(aq) + H2O(l) ⇄ H3O+(aq) + F-(aq);

[H 3O  ][ F- ]
Ka 
[HF]
 Solubility Eqilibrium

PbCl2(s) ⇄ Pb2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq);

2+ - 2
Ksp = [Pb ][Cl ]

(Ksp is called solubility product)

Combining Equations and Equilibrium Constants

• when two or more equations are added to yield a net

equation, the equilibrium constant for the net
equation, Knet, is equal to the product of equilibrium
constants of individual equations.
• For example, [C][D]
Eqn(1): A + B ⇄ C + D; K1 
[A][D]

[B][F]
Eqn(2): C + E ⇄ B + F; K2 
[C][E]
Combining Equations and Equilibrium Constants

• Net equation: A + E ⇄ D + F;

[D][F]
K net  = K1 x K2
[A][E]

• If Eqn(1) + Eqn(2) = Net equation,

then K1 x K2 = Knet
 Equilibrium Exercise #1
A flask is charged with 2.00 atm of nitrogen dioxide and
1.00 atm of dinitrogen tetroxide at 25 oC and allowed to
reach equilibrium. When equilibrium is established, the
partial pressure of NO2 has decreased by 1.24 atm. (a) What
are the partial pressures of NO2 and N2O4 at equilibrium?
(b) Calculate Kp and Kc for following reaction at 25 oC.
2 NO2(g) ⇄ N2O4(g)

(Answer: Kp = 2.80; Kc = 68.6)

 Equilibrium Exercise #2a
• Methanol is produced according to the following equation:
• CO(g) + 2H2(g) ⇄ CH3OH(g)
• In an experiment, 1.000 mol each of CO and H2 were allowed
to react in a sealed 10.0-L reaction vessel at 500 K. When the
equilibrium was established, the mixture was found to contain
0.0892 mole of CH3OH. What are the equilibrium
concentrations of CO, H2 and CH3OH? Calculate the
equilibrium constants Kc and Kp for this reaction at 500 K?
(R = 0.0821 L.atm/Mol.K)

(Answer: [CO] = 0.0911 M; [H2] = 0.0822 M; [CH3OH] = 0.00892 M;

(b) Kc = 14.5; Kp = 8.60 x 10-3)
 Equilibrium Exercise #2b
For the reaction: CO(g) + 2H2(g) ⇄ CH3OH(g)
Kc = 15.0 at a certain temperature. Is a reaction
mixture that contains 0.40 M CO, 0.80 M H2, and
0.10 M CH3OH at equilibrium? If not, in which
direction will the net reaction occur? What will be
their concentrations when equilibrium is established?
 Equilibrium Exercise #3

1. The reaction: N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇄ 2NH3(g),

has equilibrium constant, Kc = 0.0602 at 500oC.
What is the equilibrium constant for the following reaction?
NH3(g) ⇄ ½N2(g) + 3/2H2(g)

2. For the reaction: 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇄ 2 SO3(g),

Kc = 280 at 1000 K.
What is the equilibrium constant for the decomposition of
SO3 at 1000 K according to the following equation?
SO3(g) ⇄ SO2(g) + ½ O2(g).
 Equilibrium Exercise #4

If N2(g) + ½ O2(g) ⇄ N2O(g); Kc(1) = 2.4 x 10-18

and N2(g) + O2(g) ⇄ 2 NO(g); Kc(2) = 4.1 x 10-31
What is the equilibrium constant for the reaction?
N2O(g) + ½ O2(g) ⇄ 2NO(g)

(Answer: Knet = 1.7 x 10-13)

 Applications of Equilibrium Constant

For any system or reaction:

1. Knowing the equilibrium constant, we can predict
whether or not a reaction mixture is at
equilibrium, and we can predict the direction of
net reaction.
• Qc = Kc  equilibrium (no net reaction)
• Qc < Kc  a net forward reaction;
• Qc > Kc  a net reverse reaction
2. The value of K tells us whether a reaction favors
the products or the reactants.
 Equilibrium constant is used to predict the
direction of net reaction
• For a reaction of known Kc value, the direction of net reaction
can be predicted by calculating the reaction quotient, Qc.
• Qc is called the reaction quotient, where for a reaction such
as:
[C]c [ D]d
• aA + bB ⇄ cC + dD; Qc  a b
[A] [ B]
• Qc has the same expression as Kc , but
• Qc is calculated using concentrations that are not necessarily at
equilibrium.
What does the reaction quotient tell us?
If Qc = Kc,  the reaction is at equilibrium;
If Qc < Kc,  the reaction is not at equilibrium and there’s a
net forward reaction;
If Qc > Kc,  the reaction is not at equilibrium and there’s a
net reaction in the opposite direction.
 Why is Equilibrium Constant Important?

• Knowing Kc and the initial concentrations, we can

determine the concentrations of components at
equilibrium.
 Equilibrium Exercise #5

• For the reaction:

CO(g) + 2 H2(g) ⇄ CH3OH(g), Kc = 14.5 at 500 K.
• Predict whether a mixture that contains 1.50 mol of H2, 1.00
mol of CO, and 0.50 mol of CH3OH in a 10.0-L vessel at 500
Kc is at equilibrium.
• If not, indicate the direction in which the net reaction will
occur to reach equilibrium.

(Answer: Qc = 22.2 > Kc; net reaction is to the left)

 Calculating equilibrium concentrations using
initial concentrations and value of Kc

• Consider the reaction:

• H2(g) + I2(g) ⇄ 2 HI(g),
• where Kc = 55.6 at 425oC.
• If [H2]0 = [I2]0 = 0.1000 M, and [HI]0 = 0.0 M, what
are their concentrations at equilibrium?
 Using the ICE table to calculate
equilibrium concentrations
• Equation: H2(g) + I2(g) ⇄ 2 HI(g),
• 

• Initial [ ], M 0.1000 0.1000 0.0000

• Change [ ], M -x -x +2x
• Equilibrium [ ], M (0.1000 - x) (0.1000 - x) 2x
•  

[HI] 2 (2 x ) 2
Kc   2
 55.6
[H 2 ][ I 2 ] (0.100 - x )
Calculation of equilibrium concentrations

2x
 55.6  7.46
(0.100 - x
2 x  0.746 - 7.46 x;  9.46 x  0.746
x  0.0789 ;
[H 2 ]  [I 2 ]  0.0211 M; [HI]  0.158 M
 Equilibrium Exercise #6

For the reaction:

2 NO2(g) ⇄ N2O4(g); Kp = 1.27 at 353 K.
If the initial pressure of NO2 was 3.92 atm, and
initially there was no N2O4, what are the partial
pressures of the gases at equilibrium at 353 K?
What is the total gas pressure at equilibrium?

(Answer: PNO2 = 1.06 atm; PN2O4 = 1.43 atm; Ptotal = 2.49 atm)
 Equilibrium Exercise #7
The reaction:
PCl5(g) ⇄ PCl3(g) + Cl2(g) has Kc = 0.0900.
A 0.1000-mol sample of PCl5 is placed in an empty
1.00-L flask and the above reaction is allowed to
come to equilibrium at a certain temperature. How
many moles of PCl5, PCl3, and Cl2, respectively, are
present at equilibrium?

(Answer: PCl5 = 0.0400 mol; PCl3 = Cl2 = 0.0600 mol)

 Le Châtelier’s Principle
• The Le Châtelier's principle states that:
when factors that influence an equilibrium are altered, the
equilibrium will shift to a new position that tends to
minimize those changes.

• Factors that influence equilibrium:

Concentration, temperature, and partial pressure (for
gaseous)
 The Effect of Changes in Concentration

• Consider the reaction: N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇄ 2 NH3(g);

[NH] 2
Kc 
[N 2 ][H 2 ]3
• If [N2] and/or [H2] is increased, Qc < Kc
•  a net forward reaction will occur to reach new equilibrium
position.
• If [NH3] is increased, Qc > Kc, and a net reverse reaction
will occur to come to new equilibrium position.
Effects of Pressure Change on Equilibrium

• If the volume of a gas mixture is compressed, the

overall gas pressure will increase. In which direction
the equilibrium will shift in either direction depends
on the reaction stoichiometry.

• However, there will be no effect to equilibrium if the

total gas pressure is increased by adding an inert gas
that is not part of the equilibrium system.
Reactions that shift right when pressure increases
and shift left when pressure decreases
Consider the reaction:
2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇄ 2SO3(g),
1. The total moles of gas decreases as reaction
proceeds in the forward direction.
2. If pressure is increased by decreasing the volume
(compression), a forward reaction occurs to reduce
the stress.
3. Reactions that result in fewer moles of gas favor
high pressure conditions.
Reaction that shifts left when pressure increases,
but shifts right when pressure decreases

Consider the reaction: PCl5(g) ⇄ PCl3(g) + Cl2(g);

1. Forward reaction results in more gas molecules.

2. Pressure increases as reaction proceeds towards
equilibrium.
3. If mixture is compressed, pressure increases, and
reverse reaction occurs to reduce pressure;
4. If volume expands and pressure drops, forward
reaction occurs to compensate.
5. This type of reactions favors low pressure condition
Reactions not affected by pressure changes

Consider the following reactions:

1. CO(g) + H2O(g) ⇄ CO2(g) + H2(g);
2. H2(g) + Cl2(g) ⇄ 2HCl(g);
1. Reactions have same number of gas molecules in
reactants and products.
2. Reducing or increasing the volume will cause equal
effect on both sides – no net reaction will occur.
3. Equilibrium is not affected by change in pressure.
 The Effect Temperature on Equilibrium

• Consider the following exothermic reaction:

N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇄ 2NH3(g); DHo = -92 kJ,

• The forward reaction produces heat => heat is a product.

• When heat is added to increase temperature, reverse reaction
will take place to absorb the heat;
• If heat is removed to reduce temperature, a net forward
reaction will occur to produce heat.
• Exothermic reactions favor low temperature conditions.
 The Effect Temperature on Equilibrium

Consider the following endothermic reaction:

CH4(g) + H2O(g) ⇄ CO(g) + 3H2(g), DHo = 205 kJ
1. Endothermic reaction absorbs heat  heat is a reactant;
2. If heat is added to increasing the temperature, it will cause a
net forward reaction.
3. If heat is removed to reduce the temperature, it will cause a
net reverse reaction.
4. Endothermic reactions favor high temperature condition.
 Equilibrium Exercise #8

Determine whether the following reactions favor

high or low pressures?
1. 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇄ 2 SO3(g);
2. PCl5(g) ⇄ PCl3(g) + Cl2(g);
3. CO(g) + 2H2(g) ⇄ CH3OH(g);
4. N2O4(g) ⇄ 2 NO2(g);
5. H2(g) + F2(g) ⇄ 2 HF(g);
 Equilibrium Exercise #9

• Determine whether the following reactions favors

high or low temperature?

1. 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇄ 2 SO3(g); DHo = -180 kJ

2. CO(g) + H2O(g) ⇄ CO2(g) + H2(g); DHo = -46 kJ
3. CO(g) + Cl2(g) ⇄ COCl2(g); DHo = -108 kJ
4. N2O4(g) ⇄ 2 NO2(g); DHo = +57 kJ
5. CO(g) + 2H2(g) ⇄ CH3OH(g); DHo = -270 kJ
 Chemical Equilibria in Industrial Processes
Production of Sulfuric Acid, H2SO4;
1. S8(s) + 8 O2(g)  8SO2(g)
2. 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇄ 2SO3(g); DH = -198 kJ
3. SO3(g) + H2SO4(l)  H2S2O7(l)
4. H2S2O7(l) + H2O(l)  2H2SO4(l)

• The second reaction is exothermic and has high activation

energy;
• though thermodynamically favored the reaction is very slow
at low temperature,.
• At high temperature reaction goes faster, but the yield would
be very low.
• An optimum condition is achieved at moderate temperatures
and using catalysts to speed up the reaction. Reaction also
favors high pressure.
 Chemical Equilibria in Industrial Processes

The production of ammonia by the Haber-Bosch

process:
N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇄ 2NH3(g); DH = -92 kJ

• This reaction is exothermic and very slow at low temperature.

• Increasing the temperature will increase reaction rate, but will
lower the yield.
• An optimum condition is achieved at moderate temperature of
250 to 300oC with catalyst added to increase the reaction rate.
• Increasing the pressure will favor product formation.
• Reaction favors low temperature and high pressure conditions.
 Chemical Equilibria in Industrial Processes

The production of hydrogen gas:

• Reaction: CH4(g) + H2O(g) ⇄ CO(g) + 3H2(g);
• This reaction is endothermic with DH = 206 kJ
• Increasing the reaction temperature will increase both
the rate and the yield.
• This reaction favors high temperature and low
pressure conditions.