Experiment 4: Chemical Equilibrium

4.1 Experiment Goals

After doing this experiment students are expected to be able to understand: (1) Le
Chateliers principle, (2) chemical equilibrium of complex Cu2+ ions with Ammonia, and (3)
chemical equilibrium of thymol blue indicator.

4.2 Basic Theory

Many chemical reactions take place reversible. A reversible reaction is type of
reaction where a certain chemical process is able to proceed in a forward or reverse direction
depending on experimental conditions. The reaction is able to proceed in a forward or reverse
direction when two chemicals react to form new substances and some new substances react to
form an original reactant. Remember that reaction rates depend on concentration: as more
product forms, the backward reaction becomes faster, and at the same time, the forward
reaction slows down since reactant has been consumed. Eventually, an equilibrium situation
is reached where forward and backward reaction rates are equal. Equilibrium equations is
written with two opposing arrows, this arrow indicate that forward and backward occur
simultaneously. For example saturated solution of AgCl equilibrium.
AgCl(s) Ag+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
Solid AgCl decomposes into silver ions and chloride ions, at the same rate silver ions and
chloride ions react to form original solid silver chloride (AgCl). Another example, acetic acid
partially dissociates in solution according to the equation:
HC2H3O2(aq) H+(aq) + C2 H3O2(aq)
Equilibrium is reached when forward and backward reaction rates are equal . In the state of
equilibrium, the concentration of product divided by concentration of reactants is constant. As an
example for a system with two reactants A and B and two products C and D.
[C] [D]
A+B C+D Kaq=
[A] [B]
According to Le Chatelei r's principle, if an equilibrium system is disturbed there will be a shift in
the equilibrium to form a new equilibrium.
If the system of acetic acid solution with

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is disturbed by addition of HCl (the concentration of H+ increases), then the system will shift
to the left so that the concentration of hydrogen ions increases and the concentration of
acetate ions decreases.

Solubility product
The equilibrium constant for compound having a very low solubility in water is called
solubility product. For example only 2 x 10 -4 grams of AgCl dissolved in 100 mL of water
which gives silver ions and chloride ions.
AgCl (s) Ag+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

The formation of complex compounds

Ions of copper (II) reacts with ammonia to form ion complex according to the
equation:
Cu2+(aq) + 4NH3(aq) Cu(NH3)42+(aq)
Decreasing concentration of reactants causes dissociation of complex to reactants and effort
to establish equilibrium.

Indicators Equilibrium
Indicators are very useful on acid-base titration to visualize the end point of titration.
Indicator (In) are generally acidic so the general formula is HIn. In the solution, the indicators
form equilibrium with its conjugate base according to the equation:
HIn(aq) H+(aq) + In-(aq)
The position of equilibrium depends on the acidity of solution (or pH) and each indicator
have different pH values. The colors of In- and HIn is different. The system moves from HIn
with a larger amount to In- through a limited pH range (usually about 1.5 units). It is possible
to detect pH changes by observing the color change of right indicator. For example, if the
titration of a strong acid with a strong base, the color changes of indicator occurs around pH 7
which is used to detect the end point of neutralization. This experiment studies the movement
of equilibrium position of thymol blue indicator when an acid or base is added to the system.

4.3 Equipments and Reagents

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 (a) Equipments
1. Test tube
2. Pipette

(b) Reagents
1. Saturated solution of Ca(OH)2
2. 1 M CaCl2
3. 6 M HCl
4. 0,1 M HCl
5. 0,1 M CuSO4
6. 6 M NH3
7. 0,1 M NaOH

4.4 Procedure
a) The solubility of calcium hydroxide
1. Place 2,5 mL of clear saturated calcium hydroxide solution in test tube, then add
2.5 mL of 6 M NaOH. Record the changes that occur.
2. In the above mixture, add 2.5 mL of 1 M CaCl2. Record the changes that occur.
3. Then add 4 mL of 6 M HCl in the above mixture (Step 2). Close the tube with a
rubber cap. Record the changes that occur.

b) Equilibrium of Complex Copper (II) Ion with Ammonia

1. Place 1,5 mL of 0,1 M CuSO4 in test tube, then add 1.5 mL of 6 M NH3. Record
the changes that occur.
2. In the above mixture, add 1.5 mL of 6 M HCl drop by drop. Record the changes
that occur.

c) Equilibrium of thymol blue indicator

1. Place 10 mL of distilled water in the 20 x 150 mm test tube. Add 10 drops of
thymol blue indicator. Observe the color of solution.
2. Add 0,1 M NaOH in the above solution drop by drop up to 10 drops and record
your observation. Then add 0.1 M HCl drop by drop up to 10 drops. Observe the
color changes.

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3. Thymol blue show the nature of color change indicator which is not common in
the second color change in very low pH. Prove this statement with the following
experiments:
Place 10 mL of distilled water in the 20 x 150 mm test tube. Add 10 drops of
thymol blue indicator. Observe the color of the solution. Add 1 M HCl drop by
drop while shaken on blue thymol solution until the color changes occur.