Chemical Equilibrium Practice Flashcards

VOCABULARY style flashcards covering the nature, states, examples, and mathematical properties of chemical equilibrium based on the lecture notes.

Reversible reaction

A reaction in which products re-react to form reactants and equilibrium is established.

Dynamic state

The nature of chemical equilibrium where the forward and reverse reactions continue to occur at the same rate.

Equilibrium state

The point when the rate of the forward reaction equals the rate of the reverse reaction and the concentration of products and reactants remains unchanged.

$$K > Q$$

The condition under which the favored direction of the reaction is forward to reach equilibrium.

$$K < Q$$

The condition under which the favored direction of the reaction is backwards or reverse.

Reaction Quotient ($Q$)

The ratio defined by the expression $Q = \frac{[\text{prod.}]_{\text{Initial}}}{[\text{Rea.}]_{\text{Initial}}}$.

Saturated sugar solution equilibrium

An equilibrium state where the rate of dissolving equals the rate of crystallization.

Liquid in a closed vessel equilibrium

An equilibrium state where the rate of evaporation equals the rate of condensation.

Mercury (II) oxide equilibrium

A state in a closed container where the rate of composition equals the rate of decomposition.

Equilibrium Constant ($K$)

The ratio of the mathematical product of the concentrations of substances formed at equilibrium to the product of the concentrations of the reacting substances.

Temperature

The only factor upon which the equilibrium constant ($K$) depends.

Solids and liquids in $K$ expressions

Substances that do not count in the calculation of $K$ because their concentrations are constant.

$$K > 1$$

A condition where $[\text{reactant}] < [\text{product}]$ and the favored direction is forward.

$$K < 1$$

A condition where $[\text{reactant}] > [\text{product}]$ and the favored direction is backwards.

$$K = 1$$

A condition where $[\text{reactant}] = [\text{product}]$ and no direction is favored.

Effect of reversing an equation on $K$

The equilibrium constant becomes $\frac{1}{K}$.

Effect of multiplying an equation by a number ($n$) on $K$

The equilibrium constant becomes $K^n$.

Effect of dividing an equation by a number ($n$) on $K$

The equilibrium constant becomes $\sqrt[n]{K}$.