ANALTUCS chemistry-book 10th-7

9. Chemical Equilibrium eLearn.
Punjab
For example, in case of reaction between hydrogen and iodine vapours, some of the
molecules react with each other to give hydrogen iodide.
At the same time, some of the hydrogen iodide molecules decompose back to hydrogen
and iodine.
In the beginning, as the concentration of the reactants is higher than that of the products,
the rate of the forward reaction is faster than the reverse reaction. As the reaction proceeds,
the concentration of reactants will gradually decrease while that of product will increase,
consequently the rate of the forward reaction will go on decreasing and the reverse reaction
will go on increasing and ultimately the two rates will become equal to each other. Thus, the
equilibrium will set up and concentration of various species (H2,I2,HI) becomes constant. It
is represented as
Macroscopic characteristics of forward and reverse
Forward Reaction Reverse Reaction
1. It is a reaction in which reactants react to 1. It is a reaction in which products react to produce

form products. reactants.
2. It takes place from left to right. 2. It takes place from right to left.
3. At initial stage, the rate of forward reaction is 3. In the beginning, the rate of reverse reaction is
very fast. negligible.
4. It slows down gradually 4. It speeds up gradually.
Macroscopic characteristics of dynamic equilibrium

A few important characteristic features of dynamic equilibrium are given below:
1. An equilibrium is achievable only in a closed system (in which substances can neither
leave nor enter).
2. At equilibrium state, a reaction does not stop. Forward and reverse reactions keep on
taking place at the same rate but in opposite direction.
3. At equilibrium state, the amount (concentration) of reactants and products do not change.
Even physical properties like colour, density, etc. remain the same.
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9. Chemical Equilibrium eLearn.Punjab
4. An equilibrium state is attainable from either way, i.e. starting from reactants or
from products.
5. An equilibrium state can be disturbed and again achieved under the given
conditions of concentration, pressure and temperature.
1. Why reversible reactions never complete?

2. What is a static equilibrium, explain with an example.
3. Why the amounts of reactants and products do not change in a reversible
reaction.
9.2 LAW OF MASS ACTION
Guldberg and Waage in 1869 put forward this law. According to this law “The rate at which a
substance reacts is directly proportional to its active mass and the rate of a reaction is directly
proportional to the product of the active masses of the reacting substances”. Generally, an
active mass is considered as the molar concentration having units of mol dm-3, expressed as
square brackets [ ].
For example, consider a reversible reaction of the type
Suppose [A], [B], [C] and [D] are the molar concentrations (mol dm-3) of A, B, C and D
respectively.
According to the Law of Mass Action:
The rate of the forward reaction a [ A ] [ B ]
= kf [ A ] [ B ]
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9. Chemical Equilibrium eLearn.Punjab
Similarly,
The rate of the reverse reaction a [ C ] [ D ]
= kr [ C ] [ D ]
where kf and kr are the proportionality constant called specific rate constants of the forward
and the reverse reactions, respectively.
At equilibrium state:
The rate of forward reaction = The rate of reverse reaction
Kc is called equilibrium constant. It is represented as:
Law of Mass Action describes the relationship between active masses of the reactants and
the rate of a reaction.
Derivation of the Expression for Equilibrium Constant for General Reaction
Let us apply the law of Mass Action for a general reaction.
This reaction consists of two reactions; forward and reverse reactions. According
to this law, the rate of a chemical reaction is directly proportional to the
product of the molar concentrations of its reactants raised to power equal
to their number of moles in the balanced chemical equation of the reaction.
Let us first discuss the forward reaction. A and B are the reactants whereas ‘a’ and ‘b’ are
their number of moles.
The rate of forward reaction according to law of Mass Action is:
where kf is the rate constant for the forward reaction. Similarly, the rate of the reverse reaction
Rr, is directly proportional to the product of [C]c [D]d , where ‘c’ and ‘d’ are the number of
moles as given in the; of [C]c [D]d, where ‘c’ balanced chemical equation. Thus,

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9. Chemical Equilibrium eLearn.

Macroscopic characteristics of forward and reverse

Forward Reaction Reverse Reaction

1. It is a reaction in which reactants react to 1. It is a reaction in which products react to produce

Macroscopic characteristics of dynamic equilibrium

1. Why reversible reactions never complete?

9.2 LAW OF MASS ACTION

For example, consider a reversible reaction of the type

Kc is called equilibrium constant. It is represented as:

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