Equilibrium
Definition, Equilibrium Constant, Units, Heterogeneous Equilibrium, Adding Equations, k vs. K
Equilibrium represents a continuous process that takes place everyday in nature. This process is a forward and reverse reaction take place at equal rates. What determines if something is at equilibrium is not the concentration (although that plays a part) of a compound, but the rates of the forward and reverse reactions. As seen in kinetics, not all reactions happen in one simple step. There can be multiple steps in a reaction that involve an equilibrium process. When this occurs, equilibrium constants from each step must be taken into account to calculate K for the entire reaction. |
BrightStorm
Defining Equilibrium Equilibrium Calculations Types for Writing Equilibrium Constant Expressions Practice Equilibrium Constant Setup Calculating K Calculating K - if you have no trouble with this then you have a good understanding of the topic |
Reaction Quotient
Meaning of Q, ICE Charts (really, really useful)
A reaction quotient (Q) is a tool that is used to determine which a way an equilibrium reaction will go depending on how Q relates to K. If Q < K, the reaction will go to the right. If Q = K, the system is at equilibrium. If Q > K, the reaction will move to the left. Q is calculated just like K, but the product is used as a comparison to K.
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le Chatelier's Principle
Henry le Chatelier, Changes in Volume, Moles, and Temperature
Henry le Chatelier was a chemist in the late 19th and early 20th century. He worked with equilibrium systems and determined that if the conditions of an equilibrium system were changed, a reaction could be pushed one direction or another. He published 30 papers on the topic, it took him a significant period of time to completely understand what was happening in the equilibrium systems he was studying. He studied the chemical properties of cement and was a consultant at a company for several years. He attempted to create ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen at 200atm and 600 C, but there was explosion that almost killed his assistant. Several years later Haber and Claude developed a method to create ammonia.
"I let the discovery of the ammonia synthesis slip through my hands. It was the greatest blunder of my scientific career” - Henry le Chatelier
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