7.1.

1 Outline the characteristics of chemical and physical systems in a

state of equilibrium.
Equilibrium is reached when the rate of the forward and reverse reactions are equal.
Features are:
Equilibrium is dynamic i.e. the reaction dont stop
Equilibrium is achieved in a closed system
The concentrations of the reactants and products stay constant
Equilibrium can be reached from either direction
7.2.1 Deduce the equilibrium constant expression (Kc) from the equation
for a homogeneous reaction.
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Place the concentration of each substance to the power of the coefficient.

7.2.2 Deduce the extent of a reaction from the magnitude of the
equilibrium constant.
If Kc >> 1, the reaction goes almost to completion
If Kc << 1, the reaction hardly proceeds
7.2.3 Apply Le Chateliers principle to predict the qualitative effects of
changes of temperature, pressure and concentration on the position of
equilibrium and on the value of the equilibrium constant.
Temperature Increasing temperature favours the
Kc increased if products
endothermic side of the reaction
are favoured, decreased if
reactants are favoured
Pressure
Increasing pressure favours the side of No change to Kc
the reaction with the least volume of
gas
Concentration Increasing concentration favours the
No change to Kc
other side of the reaction
7.2.4 State and explain the effect of a catalyst on an equilibrium reaction.
A catalyst favours both the forward and reverse reactions and therefore the
equilibrium remains unchanged.
7.2.5 Apply the concepts of kinetics and equilibrium to industrial
processes.
The Haber and Contact Process are exothermic processes which have their products
favoured by high pressure. However, the pressure used in these processes is limited
for economical reasons because very high pressures are expensive. The temperature
is also higher than what is optimal for the equilibrium because though lower
temperatures have lower yield, there is a slower rate.

17.1.1 Describe the equilibrium established between a liquid and its own
vapour and how it is affected by temperature changes.
Equilibrium occurs when the rate of vaporisation and the rate of condensation are
equal. Vapour pressure is created from the gas particles. It is independent of surface
area or the size of the container. However it is affected by temperature. As
temperature is increased the equilibrium is moved to the vapour due to increased
kinetic energy, increasing vapour pressure.
17.1.2 Sketch graphs showing the relationship between vapour pressure
and temperature and explain them in terms of the kinetic theory.

17.1.3 State and explain the relationship between enthalpy of

vaporization, boiling point and intermolecular forces.
Enthalpy of vaporisation is the energy required to convert one mole of a substance
in its liquid state into one mole of gas. The stronger the intermolecular forces are of
a substance, the more energy is required to reach boiling point or vaporisation,
leading to lower vapour pressure than substance with weaker intermolecular forces
at the same temperature.
17.2.1 Solve homogeneous equilibrium problems using the expression for
Kc.
Use ICE Box to figure out concentrations that can be substituted into the Kc
expression.
If Kc is less than 10-3 then assume no change in the concentration of the reactants
and sub into equation.