Dynamic equilibrium

Specification references
 C6.2.3 Equilibrium

 C6.2.5 The effect of changing concentration

Aims
In this activity you will see how changing the concentration affects the equilibrium
position and the yield of product.

Learning outcomes
After completing this activity, you should be able to:
 define and explain dynamic equilibrium
 describe how to achieve dynamic equilibrium
 describe how the rate of the forward reaction compares with the rate of the
backward reaction in a dynamic equilibrium

 describe Le Chatelier’s principle

 apply Le Chatelier’s principle to deduce how changes in concentration affect the equilibrium position

 explain why the concentration of chemicals in a dynamic equilibrium remains constant

 predict the effect on the rate of forward and backward reactions by applying Le Chatelier’s principle
when the conditions of a dynamic equilibrium are changed.

Safety
 Cobalt(II) chloride solid: TOXIC, CARCINOGENIC
 0.2 mol/dm3 potassium chromate: TOXIC, CARCINOGENIC
 Concentrated hydrochloric acid: CORROSIVE
 1 mol/dm3 sulfuric acid: IRRITANT
 1 mol/dm3 sodium hydroxide: CORROSIVE
 Wear chemical splash proof eye protection and gloves.
 Follow correct disposal procedures.
Equipment
Experiment 1 Experiment 2
 cobalt(II) chloride solid  0.2 mol/dm3 potassium chromate
 concentrated hydrochloric acid solution
 boiling tube  dilute (1 mol/dm3) sulfuric acid
 dropper  dilute (1 mol/dm3) sodium hydroxide
 spatula  test tube
 dropper

Setting the scene

Experiment 1
When cobalt(II) chloride is dissolved in water containing chloride ions, the following
equilibrium is established:

[Co(H2O)6]2(aq)  4Cl–(aq) [CoCl4]2–(aq)  6H2O(l)

The two cobalt ions have different colours. You can see what happens to the
equilibrium when you add more chloride ions or more water.

Experiment 2
When a small amount of acid is added to potassium chromate (K2CrO4), the following
equilibrium is established:

2CrO42–(aq)  2H(aq) Cr2O72–(aq)  H2O(l)

The two chromate ions have different colours. You can see what happens to the
equilibrium when you add more acid or alkali.

Experiment 1
Method
1 Place a small spatula of cobalt(II) chloride in the boiling tube.
2 Add about 2 cm3 of water to the cobalt(II) chloride and stir well until it dissolves.
3 Note the colour of the solution in the results table.
4 Now add a few drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid and shake well.
5 Continue adding the acid drop-wise until there is no further change in colour.
6 Note the colour of the solution.
7 Add water drop-wise until the colour changes again and note the colour.
Use your observations to determine which cobalt ion is present in the solution
Results table

Addition of water Addition of HCl Addition of water

observations
cobalt(II) ion present

Experiment 2
Method
1 Put about 2 cm3 potassium chromate solution into a test tube and note its colour
in the results table.
2 Add sulfuric acid (which is a source of H ions) drop-wise until there is no further
change in colour.
3 Note the colour of the solution.
4 Then add sodium hydroxide (a source of OH– ions) drop-wise until the colour
changes again and note its colour.
5 Use your observations to determine which chromate ion is present in the solution.
Results table

Addition of H2SO4 Addition of NaOH

observations
chromate ion present

Questions
1 Explain what is meant by dynamic equilibrium.
2 Explain why equilibrium can only be achieved in a closed container.
3 The situation at equilibrium is just like running up an escalator that is going down – if you
run up as fast as the escalator goes down, you stay in the same position. In small
groups, think of a different model to explain dynamic equilibrium and to illustrate the
features of a dynamic equilibrium. You might be asked to demonstrate your model.

Experiment 1
1 Explain your observations in terms of Le Chatelier’s principle.
2 a Predict what would happen to the equilibrium position if you added
concentrated sulfuric acid to the boiling tube (concentrated sulfuric acid
removes water from the solution).
b Explain your answer.
c What would you observe?

Experiment 2
1 Explain your observations in terms of Le Chatelier’s principle.
Write an ionic equation to show what happens when OH– ions are added to the solution containing H ions.

Student follow-up
State Le Chatelier’s principle
2 Complete the following sentences:
 If the concentration of a reactant is increased, more _____________ will be
formed until equilibrium is reached again.
If the concentration of a product is ___________________, more reactants will
react until equilibrium is reached again. (2 marks)

3 When iodine monochloride, ICl, and chlorine gas react in a closed container, the
following equilibrium is established:
ICl(l)  Cl2(g) ICl3(s)
Iodine monochloride is a brown liquid, whereas chlorine is a yellowish-green gas
and ICl3 is a yellow crystalline solid.
More chlorine is then added to the equilibrium mixture.
a State what you would observe.
b What happens to the rate of the forward reaction compared with the backward
reaction?
c What effect does this have on the yield of ICl3?
d What happens to the rate of the forward and backward reactions when
equilibrium is reached again?
4 When copper(II) sulfate is dissolved in water containing chloride ions, the
following equilibrium is established:
[Cu(H2O)6]2(aq)  4Cl–(aq) [CuCl4]2–(aq)  6H2O(l)
Blue Yellow
The two copper ions have different colours as shown above.
a Predict what you would see when you added sodium chloride (which is a
source of Cl– ions) to a solution containing [Cu(H2O)6]2 ions. Explain your
answer.
b Predict what you would see when you added water to a solution containing
[CuCl4]2– ions. Explain your answer.
c What colour would a solution be which contained equal amounts of
[Cu(H2O)6]2 ions and [CuCl4]2– ions?