NSB 2021 Year 12 Chemistry Module 5

Outcomes:

IQ1
Syllabus Reference

5.1 Static and Dynamic Equilibrium (Knowledge and Understanding)

Inquiry question: What happens when chemical reactions do not go through to completion?

Students:
● conduct practical investigations to analyse the reversibility of chemical reactions, for example:
– cobalt(II) chloride hydrated and dehydrated
– iron(III) nitrate and potassium thiocyanate
– burning magnesium
– burning steel wool
● model static and dynamic equilibrium and analyse the differences between open and closed
systems
● analyse examples of non-equilibrium systems in terms of the effect of entropy and enthalpy, for
example:
– combustion reactions
– photosynthesis
● investigate the relationship between collision theory and reaction rate in order to analyse
chemical equilibrium reactions

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Learning Outcomes

1. Describe what is meant by a “system” in chemistry.

2. Distinguish between open, closed and isolated systems.
3. Outline what is meant by a reversible reaction.
4. Define static equilibrium.
5. Define rate of reaction.
6. Define dynamic equilibrium.
7. Describe how dynamic equilibrium is represented in an equation (type of arrow used?).
8. Give two examples of static equilibrium and dynamic equilibrium.
9. Compare exothermic and endothermic reactions.

Assumed knowledge

1. Write balance chemical equations, including states.

2. Explain the difference between exothermic and endothermic reactions.

3. Explain that heat is a form energy.

Content

Refer to pp. 28-35 Chemistry in Focus Year 12 (2018)

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 Chemical
reactions

non-
reversible
reversible

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Systems

The study of thermodynamics situates a process in terms of a system and its interaction with its
surroundings. A system is that portion of the universe under study and may be simple (like a beaker) or
complex (like a car engine).A system in chemistry is usually the substances undergoing a physical or
chemical change. Any process that releases heat from the system to its surroundings is referred to as
exothermic. Any process in which the system absorbs heat from the surroundings is endothermic.

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Reactions can be reversible

You have been told that a chemical reaction involves the formation of new products from reactants. Well
there’s more to it. Some reactions go to completion: all the reactants react with each other to form
products. Such reactions include strong acid and strong base reactions (a strong acid gives up all of its
hydrogen atoms while a strong base furnishes all of its hydroxide ions), reactions in which a precipitate is
formed and reactions in which the gases formed are allowed to escape to the atmosphere. But not all
reactions reach completion. Some require a catalyst or heat since they are too slow.

In some reactions, however, the reaction seemingly stops before all the reactants have been used up.
Products are formed but not all the reactants are used up in forming the products. In such a situation we
say a chemical balance or equilibrium has been reached. Indeed, the word equilibrium is derived from the
Latin for ‘state of balance’. At equilibrium the concentrations of the reactants and the products remain
constant (note that these concentrations will differ).

Consider the simple reaction between A and B below.

A+BC

If the reaction goes to completion then the graph below describes the course of the reaction.

[C]
Concentration

[A] [B]

Time

Note that the lines representing the concentrations of the reaction species level out: A and B
concentrations are zero while C has a value.

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If the reaction reaches an equilibrium in which there are more reactant particles than products then we
say that the reaction is favourable towards the left, the reactants side, or we can say it is favourable in
the backward direction. The graph below shows such a case.

[A] [B]
Concentration

[C]

Time

On the other hand, equilibrium could be reached in which few reactant particles remain and the system
contains mainly products, a situation in which we say the reaction is favourable to the right or the forward
reaction direction. The graph below shows such as case.

[C]
Concentration

[A] [B]

Time

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However if one examines such equilibrium reactions carefully it will be found that not only is C being
formed but C is breaking down to form A and B. In other words, there is a reverse reaction occurring.
Therefore, there is a forward reaction and reverse reaction occurring at the same time. This is why
equilibrium reactions have the symbol: ⇌ In fact the term ‘dynamic equilibrium’ is the correct term
since reactions are continuously occurring (an example of static example is a book at rest on a table).

Let’s consider an example: PCl3(g) + Cl2(g) ⇌ PCl5(g)

Here, in a closed system at the equilibrium state, PCl3 combines with Cl2 to form PCl5 while at the same
time PCl5 decomposes to form PCl3 and Cl2. If the temperature and pressure remain constant and
nothing is introduced into or removed from the system, it is a closed system remember, then the
concentrations of the species will be constant. Notice how the lines plateau off for each species in the
above graphs; the concentrations remain constant at equilibrium.

Rate of reactions

At the dynamic equilibrium state there is a forward reaction and a reverse reaction occurring at the
same time. Indeed, one can quantify this aspect by referring to the rates of reactions. The rate of a
reaction is the time rate of change of concentration of a species in a reaction mixture. Consequently, at
equilibrium, the rate of the forward reaction equals the rate of the reverse reaction.

Let’s examine two chemical reactions:

Reaction 1 AgNO3 (aq) + NaCl (aq)  AgCl (s) + NaNO3 (aq)

In Reaction 1, all the reactants react with each other to form products. This reaction is said to “go to
completion”.

Reaction 2 N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) ⇌ 2NH3 (g)

In Reaction 2, when ammonia is being formed some of it will then breakdown (decompose) to reform
the products. This type of reaction is reversible and is said to be incomplete. These reactions are also
known as equilibrium reactions.

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 Dynamic
equilibrium

This material was adapted from ‘Acidic Environment’ produced by Learning Materials Production, OTEN.

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The dynamic equilibrium is a position where the rate of reactants turning into products and the rate of
products turning into reactants are similar or equal whereas static equilibrium is a point where the
reaction has come to a halt; here, the reactants no longer turn into products nor the products turn into
reactants. The main difference between static and dynamic equilibrium can be identified as the motion
of productions and reactions.

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Learning activity #1

A series of graphs representing these two reaction types are presented below (Figures 1-4). Examine
these graphs and for each graph state if it represents a reaction gone to completion or one that is
reversible. Briefly explain your answers.

Figure 1 Figure 2

Figure 3 Figure 4

Figure 5

Learning activity #2

Develop a model to represent static equilibrium and then modify this model so that it now represents a
dynamic equilibrium situation.

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Learning activity #3

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Which system allows a chemical equilibrium reaction to occur? Explain your answer.

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Activities

Study Reflection Questions

1. Answer the following questions without using any resources. You must write your answers and test
your memory for this task (retrieval practice).
2. Check your answers using an appropriate resource and then repeat the procedure.

1. Describe what is meant by a “system” in chemistry.

2. Distinguish between open, closed and isolated systems.
3. Outline what is meant by a reversible reaction.
4. Define static equilibrium.
5. Define rate of reaction.
6. Define dynamic equilibrium.
7. Describe how dynamic equilibrium is represented in an equation (type of arrow used?).
8. Give two examples of static equilibrium and dynamic equilibrium.
9. Compare exothermic and endothermic reactions.

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