Dynamic Equilibrium

Question 1

Chemical System?

Answer 1

A chemical system is ‘the environment in which a chemical reaction occurs’.

Question 2

An open chemical system:

Answer 2

Matter and energy is free to be exchanged between the system and surroundings.

Question 3

A closed chemical system:

Answer 3

Matter is contained in the system, it cannot be exchanged with the surroundings, Energy is still free to transfer between system and surroundings.

Question 4

What is equilibrium?

Answer 4

In most chemical reactions, there are forward and reverse reactions occurring.

-> Reactants are converted into products (forward)
->Products are converted into reactants (reverse).

When the rate of forward reaction is equal to the rate of reverse reaction, chemical equilibrium has been reached.

Its called dynamic equilibrium because, even though the concentrations of reactants and products remain the same , the reactions are still occurring.

Question 5

Requirements for chemical reaction to be in equilibrium:

Answer 5

1.Equilibrium must occur in a closed system.

2.The reactions must be reversible, the activation energy of the forward and reverse reaction must be relatively low.

3.Rate of forward reaction is equal to rate of reverse reaction.

4.The concentrations of each substance involved in the reaction will be unchanging.

5.Equilibrium is dynamic both forward and reverse reactions occurring at the same time.

Question 6

Phase equilibrium

Answer 6

Phase equilibrium is a physical process and occurs between two states of matter.

Question 7

Solution Equilibrium

Answer 7

Another physical process which occurs in a solution.

The rate at which a solid dissolves in a solution is equal to the rate at which it re-crystalizes.