CHEMICAL EQULIBRIUM

A chemical reaction is usually written in a way that suggests it proceeds in one direction i.e.
from reactants to products and is shown by a single arrow. When all the reactants in a reaction
are used up the reaction is said to have gone to completion. However, in some reactions not all
the reactants are used, not all reactions go to completion. Such reactions are reversible.
A reversible reaction is a reaction in which the conversion of reactants to products and the
conversion of products to reactants occur simultaneously.

One example of a reversible reaction is the reaction of hydrogen gas (H2 ) and iodine vapor (I2 )
to from hydrogen iodide (HI). When hydrogen and iodine gases are mixed in a sealed
container, they begin to react and form hydrogen iodide. At first, only the forward reaction
occurs because no HI is present. The forward reaction can be written as follows.

H2 (g) + I2 (g) → 2HI

As the forward reaction proceeds, it begins to slow down as the concentrations of the
H2 (g) and the I2 (g) decrease. As soon as some HI has formed, it begins to decompose back
into H2 (g) and the I2 (g) in the reversible reaction as follows
2HI (g) → H2 (g) + I2 (g)
The rate of the reverse reaction starts out slow because the concentration of HI is low. The
forward reaction is occurring faster than the reverse reaction. Gradually, the rate of the
forward reaction decreases while the rate of the reverse reaction increases.

The forward and backward reactions can be combined into one equation by the use of a double
arrow as follows.
H2 (g) + I2 (g) ⇌ 2HI(g)
The double arrow indicates that the reaction is reversible.

As the reaction proceeds, the rate of combination of H2 (g) and the I2 (g) to produce HI
becomes equal to the rate of decomposition of HI into H2 (g) and the I2 (g) i.e. the rate of the
forward reaction is equal to the rate of the backward reaction.
At this point chemical equilibrium has been achieved. Equilibrium is a dynamic process and the
conversions of reactants to products and products to reactants are still going on, although
there is no net change in the number of reactant and product molecules i.e. the concentrations
of the reactants and products remain constant. A mixture of reactants and products is found at
equilibrium.
Chemical equilibrium is defined as a dynamic equilibrium when the rate of the forward reaction
equals the rate of the reverse reaction in reversible reaction. At this state the there is no net
change in concentrations of reactants and products.

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How systems achieve equilibrium can be demonstrated through concentration versus time
graphs and rate versus time graphs, such as the following.

Chemical equilibrium is only possible if:

 the reaction is reversible

 the reaction occurs in a closed system.

A closed system is one where no matter is allowed to enter or leave the system. A closed
system is isolated from its surroundings. An open system is one where either the reactants or
products may be added or removed and the system continuously interacts with its
environment.

Chemical equilibrium is achievable in homogenous reactions (a reaction where all the reactants
and products are in the same phase) as well as in heterogeneous reactions where reactants and
products are present in more than one phase.

The synthesis of ammonia is an example of a gaseous homogeneous reaction:

N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) ⇌ 2NH3 (g)

The reaction of oxygen and carbon to form carbon monoxide is an example of a heterogeneous
equilibrium:
C(s) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2CO(g)

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Le Chatelier’s principle

Le Chatelier’s principle is an observation about the chemical equilibria of reactions. If a closed

system is in a state of dynamic chemical equilibrium and there is a change in concentration,
pressure or temperature the equilibrium position will be disturbed. The system will either
favour the forward or the reverse reaction so that the applied change will be opposed and a
new equilibrium will be established.

Le Chatelier’s principle states that when the equilibrium in a closed system is disturbed, the
system will re-instate a new equilibrium by favouring the reaction that will oppose the
disturbance.

The principle can be used in practice to understand reaction conditions that will favor increased
product formation.

Factors affecting equilibrium positions

Changing the temperature

Le Chatelier’s principle implies that increasing the temperature of a system by heating it will
favor the endothermic reaction. An endothermic reaction reduces the amount of heat
produced in the system. Decreasing the temperature of a system by cooling it, will favor the
exothermic reaction as this releases heat.

For example in the reaction of nitrogen with hydrogen to form ammonia, the forward reaction
is exothermic and the backward reaction is endothermic as shown below:

N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) ⇌ 2NH3 (g) ∆H < 0

According to Le Chatelier’s principle, increasing the temperature of the system at equilibrium
will favour the endothermic reaction therefore the backward reaction if favoured.

Changing the concentration

Increase the concentration of a reactant or product at equilibrium will favour the reaction that
decreases the concentration of that substance i.e. the reaction that uses the substance.

Decreasing the concentration of a reactant or product will favour the reaction that increases
the concentration of that substance i.e. the reaction that makes the substance.

For example, in the following hypothetical reaction:

X2 (g) + 3Y2 (g) ⇌ 2XY3 (g)

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If the concentration of Y2 (g) at equilibrium is increased by adding more Y2 (g), then the
forward reaction will be favoured. This is because increasing the concentration of Y2 (g)
according to Le Chartelier’s principle will favour the reaction that uses Y2 (g).

Changing pressure

Increasing the pressure of a gaseous system (by decreasing the volume) will favour the reaction
that decreases pressure i.e. the reaction with the least number of moles of gas in the system.

Decreasing the pressure of a gaseous system (by increasing the volume) will favour the reaction
that increases pressure i.e. the reaction with the most number of moles of gas in the system

For example, given the following reaction:

CH4 (g) + 2H2 O (g) ⇌ CO2 (g) + 4H2 (g)

Note that there is a total of three moles of gas on the left hand side (one mole of methane plus
two moles of steam) and there are five moles of gas on the right hand side ( one mole of carbon
dioxide plus four moles of hydrogen) i.e. :

3moles of gas ⇌ 5 moles of gas

Increasing the pressure will favour the backward reaction because it has the least number of
moles of gas.

If there are equal number of moles of gas on either side, increasing or decreasing the pressure
of the gas system will have no effect on equilibrium position.

The effect of a catalyst on equilibrium position

In the presence of a catalyst, both the forward and reverse reaction rates will speed up equally,
thereby allowing the system to reach equilibrium faster. Catalysts speed up the rate of a
reaction, but do not have an effect on the equilibrium position, they only affect how quickly
equilibrium is reached.

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The Equilibrium Constant 𝐊 𝐜

Consider the generalised reversible chemical reaction:

aA + bB ⇌ cC + dD

A and B are the reactants, C and D are the products and a, b, c and d are the coefficients from
the balanced reaction.

The equilibrium constant, K c , is the ratio of the equilibrium concentrations of products over the
equilibrium concentrations of reactants each raised to the power of their stoichiometric
coefficients. For the above reaction K c is written as:

[C]c . [D]d
Kc =
[A]a . [B]b

[A]; [B]; [C] and [D] are the concentrations of the reactants and products at equilibrium.

For example:
2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2SO3 (g)
The reactants are SO2 and O2 . The products is SO3 . The K c expression is written as :

[SO3 ]2
Kc =
[SO2 ]2 . [O2 ]

Only the concentrations of aqueous solutions (aq) and gases (g) appear in the K c expression.
Pure solids (s) and liquids (l) are not included in the equilibrium constant expression because
they do not affect the reactant amount at equilibrium in the reaction, so they are disregarded
and kept at 1.

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In the reaction below :
C(s) + H2 O (g) ⇌ CO(g) + H2 (g)
The K c will be written as:
[CO][H2 ]
Kc =
[H2 O]

Factors that affect the equilibrium constant

Concentration, pressure, and temperature all affect the equilibrium position of a reaction, and
adding catalyst increases both the forward and reverse reaction rates. However, only
temperature affects the value of K c .

If the change in the temperature favours the forward reaction then the following occurs:

• more products form

• concentration of reactant decreases

• K c increases

If the change in the temperature favours the backward reaction then the following occurs:

• more reactants form

• concentration of product decreases

• K c decreases

Meaning of Kc values

The significance of the K c value is important in industrial processes. The economic viability of
an industrial process in the chemical industry depends on the manufacturing costs, the product
yield (amount of product produced), and the retail cost. These factors determine the profit a
company would make. K c values are used to determine if the possible yield at a specific
temperature is low or high.

A high 𝐊 𝐜 value means that: A low 𝐊 𝐜 value means that:

concentration of products is higher than that concentration of reactants is higher
of reactants than that of products
the equilibrium lies far to the right the equilibrium lies far to the left
the reaction has a high yield the reaction has a low yield

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 industrial process may be economically industrial process is not economically
viable. viable.

Common-ion effect

In solutions, the change in equilibrium position can come about due to the common ion effect.
The common-ion effect is where one substance releases ions (upon dissociating or dissolving)
which are already present in the equilibrium reaction.

If solid sodium chloride dissolves and dissociates in solution it forms chloride ions (Cl− ) ions as
shown :
NaCl(s) → Na+ (aq) + Cl− (aq)
Adding the Cl− ions to the dissociation reaction of silver chloride (AgCl) shown below will
affect the equilibrium

AgCl(s) ⇌ Ag + (aq) + Cl− (aq)

The added Cl− (common-ion) interferes with the equilibrium by raising the concentration of the
Cl− ion. According to Le Chatelier’s principle the reverse reaction speeds up as it tries to reduce
the effect of the added Cl− . As a result, the equilibrium position shifts to the left.

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PAST EXAM PRACTISE QUESTIONS

2006 November Higher Grade Paper 2 Q 6

6.1 Two (2) moles of nitrogen dioxide gas (NO2) and 2 moles of sulphur dioxide gas (SO2) are
allowed to react in a closed container of volume 2 dm3 and at a temperature of 700 °C. After t
seconds an analysis of the mixture showed that 0,75 moles of SO3 were present in the
container. At 700 °C , Kc = 9. The equation for the equilibrium reaction is:
NO2(g) + SO2(g) ⇌ SO3(g) + NO(g)
Is the reaction in equilibrium at t seconds? Clearly show how you arrived at your answer.
(9)
6.2 After a period of time the temperature is increased and an analysis showed that the Kc
value has increased to 12. Make use of Le Chatelier's principle to determine whether the
forward reaction is exothermic or endothermic. (4)

2008 Exemplar Paper 2 Q 11

11.1 Many industries use ammonia as a coolant in their plants. Ammonia is also used in the
fertiliser industry. The ammonia is manufactured by the Haber process in the presence of a
catalyst at a temperature of 500 °C. The equilibrium process may be represented by the
equation below.

N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g) ΔH < 0

The temperature is now decreased to 100 °C. Explain whether or not the ammonia can now be
produced profitably (3)
11.2 Ammonia is used in the industrial preparation of nitric acid. One of the reactions in this
process, shown below, reached equilibrium in a closed container at a temperature of 1 000 °C.
4NH3(g) + 5O2(g) ⇌ 4NO(g) + 6H2O(g)
The initial concentrations of NH3(g) and O2(g) were both equal to 1 mol∙dm-3. At equilibrium it is
found that the concentration of NH3(g) has changed by 0,25 mol∙dm-3.
11.2.1 Calculate the value of the equilibrium constant (KC) at the given temperature. (9)
11.2.2 Is the yield of NO high or low at this temperature? Give a reason for your answer.
(3)

2009 November Paper 1 Q 8

The thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is an example of a
heterogeneous equilibrium. The decomposition that takes place in a closed container can be
represented by the following equation:
CaCO3(s) ⇌ CaO(s) + CO2(g)
Initially 5 g of CaCO3(s) is placed in a closed 500 cm3 container and then heated. Equilibrium is
reached at 900 °C.
8.1 Why is the above decomposition referred to as a heterogeneous equilibrium? (1)
8.2 Calculate the mass of unreacted CaCO3(s) that remains in the container at

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equilibrium if Kc for the reaction is 0,0108 at 900 °C. (9)
8.3 It is found that the value of Kc increases when the container is heated to a higher
temperature. Is the forward reaction exothermic or endothermic? Use
Le Chatelier's principle to explain your answer. (3)
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8.4 The volume of the container is now decreased to 250 cm while the
temperature is kept constant. How will each of the following be affected?
Write down only INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME.
8.4.1 The value of Kc (1)
8.4.2 The number of moles of CaCO3(s) present in the equilibrium mixture (1)
8.4.3 The concentration of CO2(g) at the new equilibrium (1)
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8.5 More CaCO3(s) is now added to the equilibrium mixture in the 500 cm
container. How will this change influence the number of moles of CO2(g)?
Write down only INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME. (1)

2014 March Paper 2 Q 7

The reaction of methane gas (CH4) with steam (H2O) produces hydrogen gas. The equation for
the reaction is shown below.
CH4(g) + 2H2O(g) ⇌ CO2(g) + 4H2(g)
7.1 Briefly explain why the CO2 gas may be harmful to the environment (2)
Initially, 1 mol of methane and 2 mol of steam are sealed in a 5,0 dm3 container. When
equilibrium is established at temperature T1, the mixture contains 0,3 mol of CO2(g).
7.2 Define the term chemical equilibrium. (2)
7.3 Calculate the equilibrium constant (KC) at T1. (7)
7.4 A new equilibrium is now established at a higher temperature T2. The value of the
equilibrium constant (KC) at this new temperature is 0,01.
Is this reaction exothermic or endothermic? Use Le Chatelier's principle and the value of KC at
T1 and T2 to explain the answer (4)

2014 Eastern Cape Prelim Paper 2 Q 6

The catalytic oxidation of ammonia is represented by the equation below:
4NH3(g) + 5O2(g) ⇌ 4NO(g) + 6H2O(g)
2,0 mol of ammonia gas and 1,0 mol of oxygen gas are placed in a 2,0 dm3 container
at 1 000 kPa and allowed to reach equilibrium at 1 000 °C. At this temperature and
pressure the amount of water vapour present is 0,6 mol.
6.1 Calculate the value of the equilibrium constant at this temperature (8)
6.2 Briefly explain the significance of the value obtained in QUESTION 6.1. (1)
6.3 What effect will the addition of a platinum catalyst have on the yield of NO(g) at the given
temperature? Write down only INCREASE, DECREASE or REMAIN THE SAME.
(1)
6.4 The pressure on the system is decreased by increasing the volume. Use Le Chatelier’s
principle to explain how this change affects the yield of NO(g). (3)
6.5 It is found that at a temperature of 500 °C the value of the equilibrium
constant is greater than the value calculated in QUESTION 6.1. What is the sign of ΔH for the
reaction mentioned above? (1)

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6.6 Explain your answer to QUESTION 6.5. (4)

2016 March Paper 2 Q 6

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Initially, 2,2 g of pure CO2(g) is sealed in an empty 5 dm container at 900 °C.
6.1 Calculate the initial concentration of CO2(g). (4)
6.2 Give a reason why equilibrium will not be established. (1)

CaCO3(s) is now added to the 2,2 g CO2(g) in the container and after a while equilibrium is
established at 900 °C according to the following balanced equation:
CaCO3(s) ⇌ CaO(s) + CO2(g)
The equilibrium constant for this reaction at 900 °C is 0,0108.
6.3 Give a reason why this reaction will only reach equilibrium in a SEALED container.
(1)
6.4 Calculate the minimum mass of CaCO3(s) that must be added to the container to achieve
equilibrium. (7)
6.5 How will EACH of the following changes affect the amount of CO2(g)? Write down only
INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME
6.5.1 More CaCO3(s) is added at 900 °C (1)
6.5.2 The pressure is increased (1)
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6.6 It is found that the equilibrium constant (Kc) for this reaction is 2,6 x 10 at 727 °C. Is the
reaction EXOTHERMIC or ENDOTHERMIC? Fully explain how you arrived at the answer
(4)

2015 Winelands Prelim Paper 2 Q 6

Carbon monoxide gas (CO) and oxygen gas (O2) are placed in a closed container. They are
allowed react to form carbon dioxide (CO2). The balanced equation for this reaction is:
2CO(g) + O2(g) ⇋ 2CO2(g)
The graph below shows concentration changes of reactants and products for this reaction
over time. Use this information to answer the following questions:

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6.1 Explain the term chemical equilibrium (2)
6.2 At which times interval(s) is /are the reaction at equilibrium (2)
6.3 Does the FORWARD or the REVERSE reaction have the faster reaction rate during the
interval t2 to t3 (1)
6.4 The temperature is decreased at t4. Is the reaction EXOTHERMIC or ENDOTHERMIC?
(1)
6.5 Explain the answer to QUESTION 6.4 (3)
6.6 What change is made to at t2
6.7 How will the change made at t2 influence the value of Kc for this reaction. Write INCREASE,
DECREASE or REMAIN THE SAME (1)
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6.8 Initialy 63g of CO and 9,11g of O2 is placed in a 2dm container. At equlibrium the
concentration of CO2 is 0,15 moldm-3. Calculate the value of Kc for this reaction
(10)

2011 Gauteng Prelim Paper 2 Q 8

Ten(10) mol of SO2(g) and four (4) mol of O2(g) are sealed in a 450 °C in a container of unknown
volume. When the reaction, represented by the balanced equation below, reaches equilibrium,
it is found that six (6) mol SO3 is present.
2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3 (g) ΔH = −196kJmol-1
8.1 What does dynamic equlibrium mean? (2)
8.2 Calculate the volume of the container if Kc = 4.4.4 at 450 °C (8)
8.3 How will each of the following changes affect the equlibrium constant Kc. Only write down
INCREASE, DECREASE or REMAIN THE SAME
8.3.1 More SO2(g) is added to the equlibrium mixture (1)
8.3.2 The temperature is now increased.
Use Le Chatelier’s principle to explain the answer (4)

2013 Gauteng June Paper 2 Q8

7 mol N2(g) and 7 mol O2(g) are placed in an empty reaction container of volume 2 dm3. The
following equilibrium is established in the sealed container:
N2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2NO (g)

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8.1 At 25°C the Kc value is 4,8 × 10−31. What does this value of Kc indicate regarding the
equilibrium concentrations of the compounds? (2)
8.2 How would the equilibrium be affected if the volume of the container was halved at
constant temperature? Explain. (2)
8.3 The container is heated and a new equilibrium is established at 2 500°C when 0,4 mol NO
(g) is present in the equilibrium mixture.
8.3.1 Calculate the Kc value at this temperature. (6)
8.3.2 Is ΔH for the forward reaction negative or positive? Explain (2)

2015 Limpopo Prelim Paper 2 Q 6

112,84 g of mercury(II) oxide is heated in a 250 cm3 sealed container. The decomposition that
takes place in the container is represented by the following equation:
2HgO(s) ⇌ 2Hg(ℓ) + O2(g) ΔH > 0
Equilibrium is reached at 650 ° C. Analysis shows that, at equilibrium, the mass of mercury(II)
oxide (HgO) is 69,44 g.
6.1 For this reaction, a sealed container is classified as a CLOSED SYSTEM. Explain why this is so.
(2)
6.2 Calculate the equilibrium constant (Kc) at 650 ° C for this reaction. (9)
6.3 The volume of the container is now decreased to 125 cm3 while the temperature is KEPT
CONSTANT. The system reaches a NEW equilibrium. How will each of the following be affected?
Write down only INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME.
6.3.1 The number of moles of HgO(s) present in the NEW equilibrium mixture (1)
6.3.2 The value of the equilibrium constant (Kc) (1)
6.3.3 The concentration of O2(g) in the new equilibrium mixture (1)
6.4 Use Le Chatelier’s Principle to explain the answer to QUESTION 6.3.1. (2)

2014 Exemplar Paper 2 Q 6

A sample of N2O4 gas is sealed in a container and heated. The N2O4 gas decomposes to NO2 gas
and the reaction reaches equilibrium according to the following balanced equation:
N2O4(g) ⇌ 2NO2(g) ΔH > 0
The graph below shows how the concentrations of the two gases change as a result of changes
made to the reaction conditions.

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6.1 Define the term chemical equilibrium. (2)
6.2 How does the rate of the forward reaction compare to that of the reverse reaction at each
of the following times? Only write down HIGHER THAN, LOWER THAN or EQUAL TO.
6.2.1 t1 (1)
6.2.2 t2 (1)
6.3 What change was made to the reaction conditions at each of the following times? In both
instances, the equilibrium constant for the reaction did not change.
6.3.1 t3 (1)
6.3.2 t4 (1)
6.4 How will an increase in temperature influence the yield of NO2(g)? Write down INCREASES,
DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME. Use Le Chatelier's principle to explain the answer.
(3)
3
6.5 Initially 0,92 mol N2O4 gas is sealed in a 2 dm container and heated to 100 °C. At
equilibrium it is found that 20,7% of the N2O4 gas has decomposed to NO2 gas. Calculate the
equilibrium constant (Kc) for this reaction at 100 °C. (7)

2013 Gauteng June Paper 2 Q 9

The equilibrium relationship between gas A, solid B and gases C and D in a closed reaction
vessel can be represented as follows:
3A(g) + 2B(s) ⇌ C(g) + 2D(g) (ΔH = −26,8 kJ⋅mol−1)
9.1 State Le Chatelier's Principle. (2)
9.2 Explain how a decrease in volume will influence the amount of D(g) in the system and the
value of the equilibrium constant (2)
9.3 The yield of gas C needs to be increased. (2)

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9.3.1 How can this be done without influencing the equilibrium constant for this equation?
(2)
9.3.2 Use Le Chatelier's Principle to explain how the method in 9.3.1 leads to an increase in the
yield of C. (2)
9.4
9.4.1 Draw and label a potential energy diagram to show the energy changes that occur during
the formation of C and D.
9.4.2 Indicate the value of ΔH on your graph. (1)
9.4.3 On the same set of axes, use a dotted line to show the effect of the addition of the
catalyst (1)

2014 Free State Prelim Paper 2 Q 6

The reaction represented by the equation below reaches equilibrium in a closed
container at a certain temperature.
CS2(g) + 3Cℓ2(g) ⇌ S2Cℓ2(g) + CCℓ 4 (g) (ΔH < 0)
6.1 Is the above equilibrium a HOMOGENEOUS or a HETEROGENEOUS
equilibrium? Give a reason for the answer (2)
6.2 Initially 1,2 moles of CS2(g) and 4 moles of Cℓ2 (g) are injected into a 2 dm3
sealed container. Analysis of the equilibrium mixture shows that 138,6 g of
CCℓ 4(g is present. Calculate the equilibrium constant (Kc) at this
temperature. (8)
6.3 The pressure is now decreased by increasing the volume at constant
temperature. How will this change influence the following? (1)
(Only write down INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME.)
6.3.1 Concentration of CCℓ 4(g) (1)
6.3.2 Value of the equilibrium constant (Kc) (1)
The graph below shows the changes in rate of the reaction after further changes
were made to the above equilibrium mixture.

6.4 Write down the disturbance responsible for the sudden change in reaction

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rate in the 5th minute (1)
6.5 Did the temperature INCREASE or DECREASE in the 15th minute? (1)
6.6 Fully explain the change in rate of both the forward and reverse reactions
from the 15th until the 22nd minute. (5)

2014 Gauteng Prelim Paper 2 Q 5

When a number of moles of X2 (g) and Y2 (g) are placed in an empty, closed 2 dm3 container at
800 °C, a reaction takes place and eventually reaches equilibrium according to the following
equation:
X2(g) + 3Y2(g) ⇌ 2XY3(g)

At equilibrium there is 0,4 mol∙dm-3 of Y2 and XY3 present.

You are also given the following information for the reaction:

5.1 Calculate the initial number of moles of X2 and Y2 placed in the container. (9)
5.2 Is the forward reaction endothermic or exothermic? (1)
5.3 Explain your answer to QUESTION 5.2. (2)
5.4 What effect will be adding more Y2 (g) at 800°C have on the following?
Answer only INCREASE, DECREASE OR STAY THE SAME
5.4.1 The rate of the reverse reaction (1)
5.4.2 Concentration of X2 (g) (1)
5.5 Which ONE of the following gases XY3 or X2 would be present in a higher concentration in
the equilibrium mixture at 400°C? (1)
5.6 Explain your answer to QUESTION 5.5. (2)

2014 Limpopo Prelim Paper 2 Q 6

A hypothetical reaction, taking place in a closed 1 dm3 container, has reached

equilibrium. The reaction is represented by the equation below:
2A(g) + 3B(g) ⇌ 2C(g); H < 0
This equilibrium is considered dynamic.
6.1 Explain the term dynamic equilibrium. (2)
6.2 Give a reason why the forward reaction is exothermic. (1)
6.3 State what change must be made to the system to increase the yield of C.
Use your knowledge of Le Chatelier’s principle to explain the answer (4)
Initially, 2 moles of A(g) and 4 moles of B(g) were present in the container. The

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temperature was maintained at 150°C, and at equilibrium it was found that 2,41 x 1023
molecules of A(g) were present
6.4 Calculate the value of the equilibrium constant (KC) at 150 oC. (8)
6.5 The pressure on the system is decreased by increasing the volume of the
reaction vessel at the same temperature.
How will this change affect the value of KC? Write down only INCREASES,
DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME. (1)

2010 March Paper 2 Q 8.5

8.5 2 mol of NO2(g) and an unknown amount of N2O4(g) are sealed in a 2 dm3
container, that is fitted with a plunger, at a certain temperature. The following
reaction takes place:
2NO2(g) ⇌ N2O4(g)
At equilibrium it is found that the NO2 concentration is 0,4 mol·dm -3. The
equilibrium constant at this temperature is 2.
8.5.1 Calculate the initial amount (in mol) of N2O4(g) that was sealed in
the container. (9)
The plunger is now pushed into the container causing the pressure of the
enclosed gas to increase by decreasing the volume
8.5.2 How will this change influence the amount of nitrogen dioxide at equilibrium? Only
write down INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME (1)
8.5.3 Use Le Chatelier's principle to explain your answer to
QUESTION 8.5.2. (2)

2016 Gauteng June Paper 2 Q 8

Consider the following equilibrium system:
PbCℓ2(s) ⇌ Pb2+ (aq) + 2Cℓ- (aq)
8.1 Explain the term “common ion effect” in terms of equlibrium reactions (4)
8.2 Describe what happens to the solubility of PbCℓ2 after each of the following changes is
made
8.2.1 PbCℓ2(s) is added (1)
8.2.2 Pb(NO3)2(aq) is added (1)
8.2.3 NaCℓ(aq) is added (1)
8.2.4 AgNO3 (aq) is added (3)
8.2.5 Na2CO3 (aq) is added (3)

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