5.4.2

Reaction Quotient & Le Châtelier’s Principle

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Reaction Quotient & Le Châtelier’s Principle

The effect of changes in concentration on equilibria can be rationalized in terms of reaction quotients.

Illustrative background for Changes in concentrationIllustrative background for Changes in concentration ?? "content

Changes in concentration

  • If an equilibrium system is subjected to a change in the concentration of a reactant or product species, the rate of either the forward or the reverse reaction will change.
  • As an example, consider the equilibrium reaction:

    • H2(g)+I2(g)⇌2HI(g)     𝐾𝑐= 50.0 at 400°C
  • The equilibrium expression for this reaction is given below:
    • 𝑄𝑐= =[HI]2[H2]  [I2]= \large\frac{[HI]^2}{[H_2]\; [I_2]} =𝐾𝑐
Illustrative background for Shifting the equilibriumIllustrative background for Shifting the equilibrium ?? "content

Shifting the equilibrium

  • If a reactant is added (increasing the denominator of the reaction quotient) or product is removed (decreasing the numerator), then QcQc < KcKc.
    • This will cause the equilibrium to shift right.
  • This will restore the system to equilibrium such that QcQc = KcKc again.
    • The same logic may be applied for stresses involving removing reactants or adding product, in which case QcQc > KcKc and the equilibrium will shift left.
Illustrative background for Adding products & reactantsIllustrative background for Adding products & reactants ?? "content

Adding products & reactants

  • If H2 is added, the right shift will consume I2 and produce HI as equilibrium is re-established.
    • This will yield a mixture with a greater concentrations of H2 and HI and a lesser concentration of I2 than was present before.
  • If I2 is added, the new equilibrium mixture will have greater concentrations of I2 and HI and a lesser concentration of H2.
  • Finally, if HI is removed, the new equilibrium mixture will have greater concentrations of H2 and I2 and a lesser concentration of HI.
Illustrative background for Impact on value of $$Kc$$Illustrative background for Impact on value of $$Kc$$ ?? "content

Impact on value of KcKc

  • Despite these differences in composition of these different mixtures, the value of the equilibrium constant will be the same after the stress as it was before.

Jump to other topics

1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2Periodic Trends

3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4Halogens

3.5Noble gases, group 18

3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7Functional Group Chemistry

3.8Alkanes

3.9Alcohols

3.10Halogenoalkanes

4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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