Reaction Rates

And LeChatelier’s
Principle
 Reaction Rates
• Rates are influences by:
– The nature of the reactants: how reactive the chemicals are.
– Temperature:
Temperature usually increased temperature = increased rate
– Concentration: usually increased concentration = increased rate
– (For both temp & concentration, more collisions give faster
rates.)
– Particle Size-
Size usually smaller particles = increased rate (more
surface area)
• Homogeneous rxns usually react faster than heterogeneous rxns.
– Catalysts:
Catalysts catalysts are added to a reaction to speed it up & are
then removed unchanged from the reaction. Catalysts often
provide a lower energy path for the reactants to take, so lower
activation energy.
• Homogeneous catalyst = same phase as reactants,
• Heterogeneous catalysts = different phase than reactants
 Reversible Reactions
• Reversible Reactions – reactants form products &
products form reactants. (Products can reform
reactants.)
• There is a forward and a reverse reaction represented by
←→
• Equilibrium occurs when the forward & reverse
reactions have equal rates.
– EX. 2SO2 + O2 ← → 2SO3
• Arrows can be used to show the “position of
equilibrium”
– A B (products favored)
favored
– A B (reactants favored)
favored
• Catalysts work on both forward & reverse reactions & so
have no effect on equilibrium.
 Equilibrium Constants
• Equilibrium constants (Keq) can be used to show
numerically whether reactants or products are favored.
favored
• Pure solids & liquids are left out as their concentrations
(molarities) cannot change.
• Aqueous solutions & gases are common in equilibrium
expressions. EX: aA+bB ← → cC+dD
Keq = [C]c[D]d
[A]a[B]b [ ] = moles/L (M)
• Keq is temperature dependant (different at different
temperatures)
• Keq > 1 products favored@ equilibrium
• Keq < 1 reactants favored@ equilibrium
 Example Problem
• An equilibrium mixture of N2, O2, and NO gases at
1500 K is determined to consist of 6.4 x 10–3 M N2,
1.7 x 10–3 M O2, and 1.1 x 10–5 M NO. What is the
equilibrium constant for the system at this
temperature?
• Equation: N2(g) + O2(g) ← → 2NO(g)
Keq = [NO]2
[N2]1[O2]1
Keq = (1.1 x 10 –5 M)2 =
1.1 x 10 –5
(6.4 x 10 –3 M)(1.7 x 10 –3 M)
 Your Turn!
• At equilibrium a mixture of N2, H2, and NH3 gases
at 773 K is determined to consist of 0.602 M N2,
0.420 M H2, and 0.113 M NH3. What is the
equilibrium constant for the system at this
temperature?
• Equation: N2(g) + 3H2(g) ← → 2NH3(g)
Keq = [NH3]2
[N2]1[H2]3
Keq = (0.113)2 =
0.286
(0.602 M)(0.420 M)3
 One More!
• At equilibrium a container holds 20.0 M H2, 18.0
M CO2, 12.0 M H2O, and 5.9 M CO gases at 500
K What is the equilibrium constant for the system
at this temperature?
• Equation: H2(g) + CO2(g) ← → CO(g) + H2O(g)
Keq = [CO] [H2O]
[H2] [CO2]
Keq = (5.9 M) (12.0 M) = 0.197
(20.0 M)(18.0 M)
 Le Chatelier’s Principle
• Le Chatelier’s Principle – if a stress is applied to a
system in equlilibrium, it reacts to relieve the stress.
• Concentration Changes – equilibria react to make more
of what there is less of (react to get back to equilibrium).
Ex. when product is added, reaction shifts to make
more reactants and vice versa.
• Temperature Changes – increased temperature causes the
equilibrium to shift in the direction that absorbs heat.
Ex. N2 + 3H2 ← → 2NH3 + 92 kJ
• Heating this reaction results in a shift to reactants (too
many products exist, so reactants need to be made.)
 LeChatelier (Continued)
• Pressure Changes only affect gaseous reactants &
products.

EX: 2NO2 (g) ← → N2O4 (g) + heat

what happens if you:
1) remove NO2 Shifts to the left
Shifts to the right
2) remove N2O4
Shifts to the left
3) add N2O4, Shifts to the left
4) heat the reaction Shifts to the right
5) cool the reaction Shifts to the right
6) put pressure on the reaction
 What is the largest value of change you can have
and still not make change for a dollar?

1.19$ (3 quarters, 4 dimes, 4 pennies)