Reversible Reactions
&
Equilibrium
Chemistry
0620
Reversible Reactions
A reversible reaction is a chemical reaction where the reactants form
products that, in turn, react together to give the reactants back.
Reversible Reactions
A reversible reaction is a
chemical reaction where the
reactants form products that,
in turn, react together to give
the reactants back.
Chemical Tests for Presence of Water
Equilibrium
• Rate of forward reaction = rate of reverse reaction
• Concentrations of all reactants and products remain constant and are
no longer changing
• Reactions involving gaseous products develop equilibrium in closed
container but if no gas is involved, reaction takes place entirely in
solution then equilibrium can be established in open system like flask.
Equilibrium
Le Chatelier’s Principle
• When a change is made to the conditions of a system at equilibrium,
the system automatically moves to oppose the change
• The principle is used to predict changes to the position of equilibrium
when there are changes in temperature, pressure or concentration
Effect of Temperature on Position of Equilibrium
Effect of Pressure on Position of Equilibrium
Effect of Concentration of reactant on
Position of Equilibrium
Effect of Catalyst on Equilibrium
• The presence of a catalyst does not affect the position of equilibrium
but it does increase the rate at which equilibrium is reached
• This is because the catalyst increases the rate of both the forward and
backward reactions by the same amount (by providing an alternative
pathway requiring lower activation energy)
• As a result, the concentration of reactants and products is
nevertheless the same at equilibrium as it would be without the
catalyst
Haber Process
• Process used to manufacture ammonia
• Ammonia is a gas with the formula NH3.
• It is a very important compound, because it is used to make fertilisers.
• It is made in industry by reacting nitrogen with hydrogen.
N2 + 3H2 ⇌ 2NH3 (g) [Exothermic]
Stage 1: H2 and N2 are obtained from natural gas and the air respectively and are pumped into
the compressor through pipe
Stage 2: The gases are compressed to about 200 atmospheres inside the compressor
Stage 3: The pressurised gases are pumped into a tank containing layers of catalytic iron beds at
a temperature of 450 °C. Some of the hydrogen and nitrogen react to form ammonia:
N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) ⇌ 2NH3 (g)
Stage 4: Unreacted H2 and N2 and the product ammonia pass into a cooling tank. The ammonia
is liquefied and removed to pressurised storage vessels
Stage 5: The unreacted H2 and N2 gases are recycled back into the system and start over again
Conditions for Haber Process
Why are these conditions chosen in the Haber
Process?
Pressure is not too high - Although increase pressure,
is more yield, however more pressure will require
more expensive equipment and it can explode.
Optimum temperature - If lower temperature, more
ammonia yield, however too low, the rate is
uneconomical.
Catalyst: Iron
•The presence of a catalyst does not affect the position of equilibrium but it does increase the rate at
which equilibrium is reached
•Catalyst is used as it helps the reaction reach equilibrium quicker
•It allows for an acceptable yield to be achieved at a lower temperature by lowering the activation
energy required
•Without it the process would have to be carried out at an even higher temperature,
increasing costs and decreasing yield as the higher temperature decomposes more of the
NH3 molecules
Contact Process
• Most of sulfuric acid is made by the Contact process.
• Materials (Reactants) in Contact Process are Sulfur Dioxide obtained
by Burning sulfur or Roasting Sulfide ores and Oxygen obtained from
the air
• Concentrated sulfuric acid is used in car batteries,
making fertilisers, soaps, and detergents.
2SO2 + O2 ⇌ 2SO3 (g) [Exothermic]
Conditions of Contact Process
Why are these conditions chosen in the Contact
Process?
Pressure is compromised – higher pressure
requires expensive equipment, and it can be
dangerous, also higher pressure can liquify sulfur
trioxide.
Optimum temperature - If lower temperature,
more sulfuric acid yield, however too low, the rate is
uneconomical.
liquify
