EQUILIBRIUM

LAW AND THE

EQUILIBRIUM
CONSTANT
SECTION 7.2

EQUILIBRIUM LAW
Equilibrium Law the mathematical description of a
chemical system at equilibrium

Equilibrium Constant (K) a constant numerical value

defining the equilibrium law for a given system; units are not
included when giving the value of K

PRACTICE
Write the equilibrium law equations for the
following reactions:
1. H2(g) + I2(g) 2HI(g)
2. CO(g) + H2O(g) H2(g) + CO2(g)
3. 2Cl2(g) + 2H2O(g) 4HCl(g) + O2(g)

ANALYZING THE EQUILIBRIUM

LAW
Lets look at the following reaction:
N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g)

at 500K

So, what does this tell us about the equilibrium constant?

The equilibrium constant will always be the same at a specific set of

reaction conditions, regardless of the initial concentrations of the
substrates

The Equilibrium Constant Varies with

Temperature

Does this mean that the equilibrium constant is always the same for a
given reaction?
No, the equilibrium constant will change depending on the temperature of
the reaction

CALCULATING K
1. The following synthesis reaction proceeds in a closed vessel
at 5000C: N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g). Given the equilibrium
concentrations of gaseous nitrogen, hydrogen and ammonia,
respectively, are 1.5 x 10-5 mol/L, 3.45 x10-1 mol/L and 2.00 x
10-4 mol/L, what is the equilibrium constant?
2. Calculate the decomposition reaction of ammonia under the
same conditions with the same equilibrium concentrations.

HETEROGENEOUS EQUILIBRIA
Homogeneous Equilibrium a chemical equilibrium system in which all
reactants and products are in the same state of matter, such as the gas
state
Heterogeneous Equilibrium a chemical equilibrium system in which the
reactants and products are present in at least two different states, such as
gases and solids.
For a heterogeneous equilibrium system:
the equilibrium position does not depend on the quantities of pure
solids or liquids
WHY?

The concentrations of pure solids and liquids do not change during a

chemical reaction

Therefore: for heterogeneous equilibrium systems only the

substances in the gas phase and/or in solution are included in the
equilibrium constant

PRACTICE

EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANT AND

THE EQUILIBRIUM POSITION

The equilibrium position of a reaction describes the

relative concentrations of reactants and products in
reaction.

The equilibrium constant, K, can be used to determine the

equilibrium position

The magnitude of the equilibrium constant will tell us if

the reaction favors the products (lies to the right) or
favors the reactants (lies to the left)
K >>> 1

lies far to the right

K=1

lies in the center

K <<< 1

lies to the left

HOMEWORK
READ: 429-436
ANSWER QUESTIONS:
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