General Chemistry 2 Online

Equilibrium and Le Châtelier’s Principle

Final Report
Student Name Bader Alanazi
Student ID 179041
Lesson Equilibrium and Le Châtelier’s Principle
Institution Arkansas State University-Newport
Session Summer 2021 - D2-25
Course General Chemistry 2 Online
Instructor Ed Jones

Test Your Knowledge

1. Match each term with the best description. 

State that occurs when the

concentrations of all reactants 1 Chemical equilibrium
and products are constant.

Is used to determine if the

reactions favor the products or 2 Equilibrium constant
the reactants

States that when a change is

imposed on chemical system
will shift in the direction that 3 Le Châtelier’s principle
reduces the total effect of
change.

The reactants, products, and

energy associated with a 4 Chemical system
chemical reaction.

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 2. Identify the variables that must remain constant to maintain an equilibrium
constant and equilibrium position. 

Variables that Must Remain Variables that Do Not Need to

Constant Remain Constant

1 Concentration 2 Color Size

Temperature Pressure

3. Review the chemical equation below and identify the result that a change imposed on the
system would have.

1 Favors reverse reaction, shifts left

2 Favors forward reaction (fewer mols of gas), shifts right

3 Favors forward reaction, shifts right

4 Favors endothermic forward reaction, shifts right

Exploration

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1. The state of chemical equilibrium occurs when the concentrations of
_____.

all reactants and all products remain constant

products is less than the concentration of reactants

reactants is greater than the concentrations of products

2. Chemical equilibrium occurs when free energy exists in the _____.

highest possible value

lowest possible value

3. Generally, if the value of K is greater than 1, we say that the reaction

favors the _____ and if the value of K is less than 1, the reaction favors the
_____.

products; reactants

reactants; products

Neither reactants nor products are favored. 

4. The equilibrium position of a reaction requires the variables of _____,

_____, and _____ to remain constant.

color, pressure, concentration

concentration, time, temperature

pressure, temperature, concentration

time, color, temperature

5. Le Châtelier’s principle includes the idea that a change imposed on a

chemical system will cause the system to find a new chemical equilibrium
where free energy exists at the highest possible value. 

True

False

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 6. If the ratio of products over reactants has increased, the chemical
system will shift to the left, meaning that _____.

Q is equal to K

Q is greater than K

Q is less than K

7. The reaction quotient is calculated using initial concentrations.

True

False

Exercise 1

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1. Use your results to determine if the forward reaction in the potassium
chromate/HCl reaction endothermic or exothermic. Explain your answer,
using the table below to help construct your thoughts.

Chemical reaction ;

2 K2CrO4(aq) + 2 HCl(aq) ------> K2Cr2O7 + 2 KCl + H2O

Forward reaction is ENDOTHERMIC , because as we heat the reaction mixture the yellow
color of potassium chromate changes to orange colored solution of potassium dichromate
as a reaction of forward shifting of equilibrium .

As per table also : increase temperature of Endothermic reaction shifts the system
towards right (product side) .

So forward reaction is Endothermic.

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 2− + 2−
2CrO4   (aq) + 2H (aq) ⇌ Cr2 O7   (aq) + H2 O(l)

2. Write the equation for the equilibrium constant (K) of the reaction
studied in this exercise.

In the given equation H2O is in liquid phase

2CrO4 (aq) + 2H(aq) --><-- Cr2O7 (aq)+ H2O(l)

In the equilibrium constant equation only aqueous and gas phases are involved therefore
the liquid and solid phases are not involved in the equilibrium constant expression

So the equilibrium constant expression for the given reaction is as follows

Kc= [Cr2O7^2-] / [K2Cr2O7]^2[H]^2

Use this information to answer Questions 3, 4, and 5:

The equilibrium constant (K) of the reaction below is K = 6.0 x 10-2, with initial
concentrations as follows:
[H2] = 1.0 x 10-2 M, [N2] = 4.0 M, and [NH3] = 1.0 x 10-4 M.

N2 (g)  +  3H2 (g)  ⇌  2NH3 (g) 

3. Consider the chemical reaction: N2 + 3H2 yields 2NH3. If the

concentration of the reactant H2 was increased from 1.0 x 10-2 M to 2.5 x
10-1 M, calculate the reaction quotient (Q) and determine which way the
chemical system would shift by comparing the value of Q to K.

Here, concentration of H2 = 2.5 * 10^-1 M, and [N2] = 4.0 M and [NH3] = 1.0 * 10^-4 M

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

Q [N H3)? [N2][H2 [1.0 * 10-42 [4.0(2.5 * 10-13 1.0 * 10-8 = 0.016 * 10 4.0 * 15.625 *
10-3

Q = 1.6 * 10^-7

And K = 6.0 * 10^-2, Here K > Q, so the equilibrium shift to forward direction or product
side/ right

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4. If the concentration of the reactant H2 was decreased from 1.0 x 10-2 M
to 2.7 x 10-4 M, calculate the reaction quotient (Q) and determine which
way the chemical system would shift by comparing the value of Q to K.

The equilibrium constant is written in terms of the equilibrium concentrations as follows:

k = [NH3]aq2 / [N2]aq   x [H2]3aq = (1.0x10^-4 + 2x)^2 / (4.0-x)x(1.0 x10^-2 - 3x)^3

= 6.0 x 10^-2

The reaction quotient is written as Q= [NH3]2 / [N2] x [H2]3 = 127Q= 127

Since, Q>> K , the reaction will favor the formation of reactants. This is in agreement
with the Le Chatelier's principle, as when the concentration of reactant is being
decreased, the reaction is shifting towards increasing the reactant concentration.

Since the reaction will always run towards equilibrium, the denominator in Q needs to
increase in order to decrease the value of Q. The denominator represents the reactant,
hence the reactant concentration will increase.

5. If the concentration of the product NH3 was increased from 1.0 x 10-4 M

to 5.6 x 10-3 M, calculate the reaction quotient (Q) and determine which
way the chemical system would shift by comparing the value of Q to K.

Here the grouping of NH3 has expanded from 1.0 x 10-4 M to 5.6 x 10-3 M

hence, Q = ([NH3]2 )/([N2] [H2]3)

substitute values

= ([5.6 x 10-3 ]2 )/([4.0][1.0 x 10-2]3)

= (31.36)/4

Q = 7.84

K = 6.0 x 10-2

Q = 7.84

Here we can say that,

Q > K, the response will move towards the side of the response with all the more number
of moles, i.e., in switch heading (R< - P).

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 Data Table 1: Chromate and Dichromate

Color of Chromate  Color of Dichromate  Number of Drops of NaOH to

Shift Equilibrium Position 

yellow orange 12

Data Table 2: Endothermic & Exothermic Equilibrium Position

  Reaction at Room Reaction in Cold Reaction in Hot Water

Temperature Water Bath Bath

Color     blood orange bright oramge Blood orange

Chemical left shif toward rifgt shift toward the

System   reactent product
Shift (Left
or
Right)     

Explanation there was a solid solution is 100%

of why protion on the liquid its mean
chemical bottom but liquid reactant is totally
have the majority of converded into
system is
the pipet. product.
shifted to
the left or
to the
right    

Exercise 2

1. From your observations and data collected in Data Table 3, describe the direction of the
equilibrium position shift upon addition of NaOH.

When the NaOH is added then it shows the color change inthe initial solutions therefore it indicates that the
forward reaction is taking place which is forming the hydroxides

Therefore it means the reaction is moving in the forward direction means the equilibrium is shifting to the right
side.

Data Table 3: Ferric Ferrocyanide

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 Color of Potassium Ferrocyanide  Color of Ferric Ferrocyanide 

light yellow blue-green

Color of Potassium Number of Drops of NaOH to Shift Equilibrium Position

Ferrocyanide 

light yellow 12

Color of Potassium Observations when Equilibrium is Shifted

Ferrocyanide 

light yellow color changed to

light brown but the
solutionmix. there
were obvious
pricipates on the top
of the pipte.

Competency Review

1. A chemical system is in equilibrium when free energy exists at _____.

the highest possible value

the lowest possible value

equal proportions

2. During a chemical reaction, if the concentration of reactants

and products doesn't change, the reaction has likely stopped.

True

False

3. To predict which direction a reaction will move to reach equilibrium,

investigate the _____.

equilibrium constant

equilibrium position

reaction quotient

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4. If Q is less than K, the ratio of products over reactants has _____, and the
chemical system will shift to the _____.

increased; right

increased; left

decreased; left

decreased; right

5. The equilibrium position of a reaction requires certain environmental

variables to remain constant. These variables are _____.

pressure, temperature, and concentration

temperature and concentration

pressure, temperature, and time

None of the above.

6. According to Le Châtelier’s Principle, an increase in the concentration of

product will shift the chemical system to _____.

the right

the left

neither the right nor left

7. Le Châtelier’s Principle states that _____.

when a change (pressure, temperature, concentration) is imposed on a chemical

system (chemical reaction), the chemical system will shift in the direction that
reduces the total effect of change, finding a new chemical equilibrium where free
energy exists at the lowest possible value

when a change (pressure, temperature, time) is imposed on a chemical system

(chemical reaction), the chemical system will shift in the direction that reduces the
total effect of change, finding a new chemical equilibrium where free energy exists
at the highest possible value

when a change (pressure, temperature, concentration) is imposed on a chemical

system (chemical reaction), the chemical system will shift in the direction that
increases the total effect of change, finding a new chemical equilibrium where free
energy exists at the lowest possible value

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 8. The chemical reaction of chromate and dichromate is indicated by a _____.

change in the state of matter

color change

temperature change

9. Generally, if the value of K is greater than 1, we say that the reaction

favors the products. This makes sense mathematically because the _____ go
in the numerator of the equation.

products

reactants

concentrations

10. Consider the reaction N2 (g) + 3H2 (g)  →  2NH3 (g). If the concentration

of the product NH3 decreased, which way would the chemical system shift?

Left

Right

It would not shift.

Extension Questions

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1. Assume that you are in charge of a designing a process to produce acetylene (C2H2) from
ethane (C2H6), which is the reverse of the reaction shown above. Use your knowledge of
equilibrium to suggest a set of conditions that would maximize the concentration of
acetylene (C2H2) at equilibrium. Assume that it is possible to add or remove any of the three
components of this system and to change the general conditions of the reaction (pressure,
temperature, volume).

C 2 H2 (g) + 2H2 (g) ⇌ C 2 H6 (g)

ΔH = -

Use your knowledge of equilibrium to suggest a set of conditions that would maximize the
concentration of acetylene (C2H2) at equilibrium.

1) addition of C2H6 or removal of H2 will cause to increase the concentration of C2H2

reason : addition of any one of the reactant or addition of any one of the product will cause to increase
concentration of reactants

2) low pressure is needed for shift backward direction

reason: if we decreases the pressure the equilibrium shifts where moles increases side

3) high temperature is needed

forward reaction is exothermic reaction so increase in temperature favours bakward direction

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