Chapter 5: CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM

5.1 Dynamic Equilibrium

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

  1. Explain a reversible reaction, dynamic equilibrium and law of mass action

  2. State the characteristics of a system in equilibrium

  3. Explain the features of a graph of concentration against time for a reversible reaction

5.2 Equilibrium Constants

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

  1. Define homogeneous and heterogeneous equilibria.

  2. Deduce and write expressions for equilibrium constants in terms of concentration, Kc and partial pressure, Kp for homogeneous and heterogeneous systems.

  3. Derive and use the equation, Kp = Kc (RT)n.

5.3 Le Chatelier’s Principle

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

  1. State Le Chatelier’s principle

  2. Explain the effect of the following factors on a system at equilibrium by using Le Chatelier’s principle:

  1. Concentration of reacting species

  2. Pressure and volume (include the addition of inert gas at constant pressure and at constant volume)

  3. Temperature

  4. catalyst