Answer:
Many chemical reactions are reversible; that is, the products of the reaction can combine to re-form the reactants. An example of a reversible reaction is that of hydrogen with iodine to form hydrogen iodide:
H2(g) + I2(g) 2 HI(g)
We can study this reversible reaction by placing hydrogen and iodine in a reaction vessel and then measuring the concentrations of H2, I2, and HI at various times after the reactants are mixed. Figure 13.8 is a plot of the concentrations of reactants and products of this reaction versus time. The concentration of hydrogen iodide increases very rapidly at first, then more slowly, and finally, after the time indicated by the vertical line marked "Equilibrium," remains constant. Similarly, the concentrations of hydrogen and iodine are large at the start of the reaction but decrease, rapidly at first, and then more slowly. Finally, they, too, become constant.
If this reaction were not reversible, the concentrations of hydrogen and iodine would have continued to decrease and the concentration of hydrogen iodide to increase. This process does not happen. Instead, as soon as any molecules of hydrogen iodide are formed, some decompose into hydrogen and iodine. Two reactions are taking place simultaneously: the formation of hydrogen iodide and its decomposition. When the concentrations of all these components become constant (at the equilibrium point in Figure 13.8), the rate of the forward reaction (H2 + I2 2 HI) must be equal to the rate of the reverse reaction (2 HI H2 + I2). A state of dynamic chemical equilibrium has then been reached, one in which two opposing reactions are proceeding at equal rates, with no net changes in concentration.
PICTURE 13.8
FIGURE 13.8 Concentration changes during the reversible reaction
H2(g) + I2(g) 2 HI as it proceeds toward equilibrium.
We have encountered this criterion for equilibrium before. In the equilibrium between a liquid and its vapor, the rate of vaporization is equal to the rate of condensation. In the equilibrium of a saturated solution with undissolved solute, the rate of dissolution is equal to the rate of precipitation. In the equilibrium of a weak acid with its ions, the rate of dissociation is equal to the rate of recombination. Note that none of these reactions is static: Two opposing changes are occurring at equal rates.
B. The Characteristics of Chemical Equilibrium
1. Equal rates
At equilibrium, the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the reverse reaction.
2. Constant concentrations
At equilibrium, the concentrations of the substances participating in the equilibrium are constant. Although individual reactant molecules may be reacting to form product molecules and individual product molecules may be reacting to re-form the reactants, the concentrations of the reactants and the products remain constant.
3. No free energy change
At equilibrium, the free energy change is zero. Neither the forward nor the reverse reaction is spontaneous and neither is favored. Consider the ice-water change. Above 0°C, ice melts spontaneously to form liquid water; G for this change is negative. Below 0°C, the change from ice to water is not spontaneous; G is positive. At 0°C, the two states are in equilibrium. The rate of melting is equal to the rate of freezing: the amount of ice and water and the amount of liquid water present remain constant, and the free energy change is zero as long as no energy is added to or subtracted from the mixture.
C. The Equilibrium Constant
In Chapter 12, we introduced the mathematical relationship between the concentrations of the components of an equilibrium, known as the equilibrium constant, Keq. We said that, for the general equation of a reversible reaction
Explanation:
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