Le Chatelier's Principle IB

Topic 7: Equilibrium SL Le Chateliers Principle
7.2.3 Apply Le Chateliers principle to predict qualitative effects of changes of temperature, pressure and concentration on the position of equilibrium and on the value of the equilibrium constant. 7.2.4 State and explain the effect of a catalyst on an equilibrium reaction. 7.2.5 Apply the concepts of kinetics and equilibrium to industrial process Suitable examples include the Haber and Contact processes.
LeChateliers Principle
When a system at equilibrium is placed under stress, the system will undergo a change in such a way as to relieve that stress.
Le Chatelier Translated:
When you take something away from a system at equilibrium, the system shifts in such a way as to replace what youve taken away. When you add something to a system at equilibrium, the system shifts in such a way as to use up what youve added.
Le Chatelier Example #1
A closed container of ice and water at equilibrium. The temperature is raised. Ice + Energy <-- > Water The equilibrium of the system shifts to right the _______ to use up the added energy.
A closed container of N2O4 and NO2 at equilibrium. NO2 is added to the container. N2O4 (g) + Energy < - - > 2 NO2 (g) The equilibrium of the system shifts to left the _______ to use up the added NO2.
A closed container of water and its vapor at equilibrium. Vapor is removed from the system.
water + Energy vapor
The equilibrium of the system shifts to right the _______ to replace the vapor.
A closed container of N2O4 and NO2 at equilibrium. The pressure is increased. N2O4 (g) + Energy < - - > 2 NO2 (g) The equilibrium of the system shifts to left the _______ to lower the pressure, because there are fewer moles of gas on that side of the equation.
Pressure Changes to system

If the volume decreases, the concentration increases, and there will be a shift to the side with the less amount of moles. If the volume increases, the concentration decreases, and there will be a shift to the side with the more amount of moles.
Example;
If I increase the pressure, where is the shift?
(right)
If I decrease the pressure, where is the shift? (left) 2SO2 + O2 <--> 2SO3
(3moles) (2moles)
Effect of Concentration
1. If you add more reactant, it shifts to the right increasing the formation of product, using up the reactants. 2. If you add product, it shifts to the left 3. If you remove product, it shifts to the right, increasing the formation of product. 4. If you remove reactant, it shifts to the left
Effect of temperature
Energy is treated as a reactant if endothermic equation, and as a product if exothermic equation. If cooling a system, then it shifts so more heat is produced. If heating a system, then it shifts so extra heat is used up.
Example for temp. changes for Endothermic Reaction

Heating the below reaction causes the system to shift to the right = more products, because you treat energy like a reactant.
2NaCl +H2SO4 + energy < -- > 2HCl + Na2SO4

Cooling the above reaction causes the system to shift to the left = less reactants, so need to make up more
Effect of temp change on exothermic reactions

Heating the below reaction causes the system to shift to the left, to use up the extra heat.
2SO2 + O2 <--> 2SO3 + energy

Cooling the above reaction causes the system to shift to the right, to make up for the lost heat.
The effect of a catalyst on equilibrium

Adding a catalyst speeds up a reaction by providing an alternative mechanism with a lower activation energy, thus speeding up both the forward and backward reaction rate. It shortens the time needed to attain equilibrium concentrations It has no effect on the position of equilibrium, however equilibrium will be attained more quickly.
Haber Process
N2(g) + 3H2(g) < - - > 2NH3(g) H= -92 kJ/mol Mixtures volume is compressed and passed over a heated iron catalyst. Conditions for his equilibrium is critical.
High pressure is favourable due to 4 moles on left and 2 moles on right. Increased pressure causes a shift to the left, favouring product formation. This is expensive to due and most production plants will resist compressing gases in terms of operating costs. Compromise will be met.
Compromise
This is an exothermic reaction, so low temperatures would be favourable to produce product.
Low temps mean low reaction rates, so we may get a higher yield but it will take a long time to get it. Not good for business. A compromise temp, as well as the use of a catalyst will aid in speeding up the reaction to a more acceptable standard.
Typical conditions
Pressure between 20-100 MPa (200-1000 atm) Temperatures around 700 K The reaction is not allowed to reach equilibrium, because reaction rate decreases as we approach equilibrium, and typically only 20% of N2 and H2 is converted. The gases are cooled and NH3 is condensed and removed, leaving unused N2 and H2 available for further production.
http://www.absorblearning.com/m edia/item.action?quick=128#
Animation of Haber process
Ammonias Uses
Manufacture of fertilizers (ammonia salts and urea) Manufacturing nitrogen used in polymers for the fabrication of nylon Used in the production of explosives (TNT, dynamite)
Contact Process
Production of sulfuric acid by the oxidation of sulfur. 1. Sulfur is burnt in air to form sulfur dioxide
S(s) + O2(g) < - - > SO2(g)
2. Sulfur dioxide is mixed with air and passed over vanadium(V)oxide catalyst to produce sulfur trioxide.
2SO2(g) + O2(g) < - - > 2SO3(g) H= -196 kJ/mol
3. Sulfur trioxide is reacted with water to produce sulfuric acid.

SO3(g) + H2O(l) H2SO4(l)
More money, more SO3

High pressure would favour the formation of SO3 in the 2nd step, however its too expensive. Reactants are compressed to 2 atm to achieve the desired flow rate in the reactor. Pure O2 would drive the equilibrium to the right, however its an unnecessary expense. Low temperatures, because its exothermic, would be best, but it slows the rate too much.
Compromised conditions
Temp between 700-800 K (fast initial reaction rate) The use of a finely divided V2O5 catalyst Oxidation is done in converters at lower temperatures (slows reaction rate)
Overall conversion is 90% to SO3
http://www.absorblearning.com/m edia/item.action?quick=12b
Contact process animation
Uses of H2SO4
Fertilizers (converting insoluble phosphate rock into soluble phosphates) Polymers Detergents Paints Pigments Petrochemical industry Processing of metals Electrolyte in car batteries
Le Chateliers principle is a memory aid, it doesnt explain why these changes occur. Listen carefully and read over text pages to help you develop further understanding of explanation. http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/chemistry/e ssentialchemistry/flash/lechv17.swf
Haber process notes http://www.chemguide.co.uk/physical/equil ibria/haber.html

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Topic 7: Equilibrium SL Le Chateliers Principle

Pressure Changes to system

Example for temp. changes for Endothermic Reaction

2NaCl +H2SO4 + energy < -- > 2HCl + Na2SO4

Effect of temp change on exothermic reactions

2SO2 + O2 <--> 2SO3 + energy

The effect of a catalyst on equilibrium

3. Sulfur trioxide is reacted with water to produce sulfuric acid.

More money, more SO3

Haber process notes http://www.chemguide.co.uk/physical/equil ibria/haber.html

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