Questions tagged [equilibrium]

The state in which both reactants and products are present at concentrations which have no further tendency to change with time.

According to the IUPAC goldbook:

Reversible processes [processes which may be made to proceed in the forward or reverse direction by the (infinitesimal) change of one variable], ultimately reach a point where the rates in both directions are identical, so that the system gives the appearance of having a static composition at which the Gibbs energy, $G$, is a minimum. At equilibrium the sum of the chemical potentials of the reactants equals that of the products, so that: $$\begin{align} \Delta G_\mathrm r&=\Delta G_\mathrm r^\circ+R\cdot T\cdot\ln K=0\\ \Delta G_\mathrm r^\circ&=−R\cdot T\cdot\ln K \end{align}$$ The equilibrium constant, $K$, is given by the mass-law effect.

Common reactions involving equilibria are reactions, like the incomplete dissociation of acetic acid, $$\ce{H3C-COOH + H2O <=> H3COO- + H3+O},$$ reactions, like $$\ce{AgNO3(aq) + HCl(aq) <=> AgCl v (s) + H+(aq) + NO3-(aq)},$$ the formation of , or ligand exchange reactions, like $$\ce{[Cu(H2O)_{6}]^{2+}~(aq) + 4 NH3~(aq) <=> [Cu(NH3)_{4}(H2O)_{$n$}]^{2+}~(aq) + ($6-n$) H2O},$$ among others.

It is closely related to and .

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What is the difference between "reaction in both directions" and "equilibrium"?

According to the Wikipedia page on Chemical Equations: Symbols are used to differentiate between different types of reactions. To denote the type of reaction: "$=$" symbol is used to denote a stoichiometric relation. "$\rightarrow$" symbol is…
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How does a chemical "know" which other species are present and where equilibrium is?

Please forgive me if this is a vague question. I have always wondered how a chemical reaction "knows" where its equilibrium should be. For example, using a basic example of Le Chatelier's principle, for some theoretical reaction $$\ce{A + B <-> C +…
Arcadium
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Is every chemical reaction in equilibrium?

I read that every chemical reaction is theoretically in equilibrium in an old textbook. If this is true how can a reaction be one way?
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I'm pretty sure this doesn't follow Le Chatelier's Principle

The likelihood is that I'm misunderstanding what's going on here. Consider the reaction $\ce{A <=> B}$, where $K_\mathrm{c}=1$. Initially, the system at equilibrium, where $[\ce A]=\pu{1M}$ and $[\ce B]=\pu{1M}$. The system is then disturbed to…
Rational Function
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Why do liquids and solids have constant concentrations?

I don't understand why liquids and solids have constant concentrations. Can anyone explain this to be in simple terms?
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Why does equilibrium constant change when the reaction is multiplied by a number and nothing in the real has been changed?

As far as I know, a large equilibrium constant shows that the a reaction like the one below wants to complete: $$\ce{B <=> A}$$ If A and B are gases, then K is: $$K_1=\frac{[A]}{[B]}$$ but when I multiply the reaction by 20 , K is …
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In a saturated solution, why is there ongoing dissolution and crystallisation?

I was studying equilibrium, and had this question.. In a saturated solution with sugar dissolved, why is there a constant process of dissolving and crystallising? What I mean by this is, why don't the already dissolved sugar just stay that way, and…
Freddie
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Pressure and LeChatelier's Principle

We know that if a system's equilibrium is exposed to a stress, the system shifts to relieve that stress. According to my teacher, certain kinds of pressures are stresses and others are not. Normally, if we just say that the total pressure of a…
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Addition of a noble gas - Le Chatlier

So, regarding a generic reaction (for the sake of argument, let us assume that it is completely gas phase), we have Le Chatelier's Principle. Let us use this example: $$\ce{2SO2(g) + O2(g) <=> 2SO3(g)} \quad\quad \Delta H < 0$$ Now, we have the…
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Does adding water to a reaction mixture shift equilibrium?

Just like decreasing volume in a gaseous reversible reaction shifts the position of equilibrium towards the side that produces more moles (increasing pressure), shouldn't adding water shift equilibrium to side that produces more moles in a liquid…
user43472
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Chemical Equilibrium - Why do changes in pressure cause a shift in the ratio of products and reactants?

I understand Le Chatelier's principle and how every change to an equilibrium system causes an opposing reaction from the system. I also understand how, when pressure is increased, the equilibrium shifts to the side with the lowest number of moles of…
Kian
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How can you use ICE tables to solve multiple coupled equilibria?

If I have a problem involving multiple coupled equilibrium reactions, such as Calcium fluoride, $\ce{CaF2}$, has a molar solubility of $\pu{2.1e−4 mol L−1}$ at pH = 7.00. By what factor does its molar solubility increase in a solution with pH =…
Karsten
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What is the meaning of 'mass action'?

I understand the statement of 'Law of mass action', but I don't understand clearly what 'mass action' means. I investigated it and found the following descriptions. The law was originally suggested as a law about 'active mass'. [from Wikipedia] The…
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On the activity of liquids and solvents in equilibium constants

This is a confusion I've had for quite sometimes, first when learning about equilibria (due to contradicting teachers), then when trying to teach it (due to contradicting sources, in books and on the Internet). When facing an equilibrium (let's be…
Thomas Jungers
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How to show that when the equilibrium constant is larger than one, some real-life equilibria are still reactant favoured?

My instructor assigned us with this question: When real examples of chemical equilibrium are used, the conclusions about reactant- or product-favoured versus the value of $K$ must be modified (e.g. real equilibria can have $K > 1$ but still be…
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