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Chapter 14: Problem 2

Explain the difference between physical equilibrium and chemical equilibrium. Give two examples of each.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Physical equilibrium is a state involving changes in physical states of matter without a change in chemical composition, as seen while ice melts or water evaporates. Chemical equilibrium involves a state where the forward and backward reaction rates, implying a change in chemical composition, become equal - for instance in the synthesis of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen, or formation and decomposition of sulphur trioxide.

Step by step solution

01

Define Physical Equilibrium

In physical equilibrium, the physical states of matter change, but the chemical composition remains the same. It pertains to changes in the phase of a substance. Frequency of conversion of one physical state to another reach an equal level.
02

Examples of Physical Equilibrium

1. Melting Ice: The process where ice (solid water) converts to water (liquid water) and water converts back to ice at the same rate once the melting point is reached. 2. Evaporation of Water: It is the process where liquid water converts to water vapour (gas state) and water vapour condenses back to liquid state at the same rate once the boiling point is reached.
03

Define Chemical Equilibrium

Chemical equilibrium involves the forward and backward reaction rates becoming equal, implying a change in the chemical composition. Here, the amount of reactants converted to product and the amount of product reverting back to reactants becomes equal.
04

Examples of Chemical Equilibrium

1. Synthesis of Ammonia (Haber Process): In this process, nitrogen reacts with hydrogen to produce ammonia. This reaction can also proceed in the reverse direction, breaking down ammonia into nitrogen and hydrogen. 2. Formation of Sulphur trioxide: Sulphur dioxide reacts with oxygen to form sulphur trioxide. Sulphur trioxide can also decompose back into sulphur dioxide and oxygen.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Consider the following reaction: $$\mathrm{N}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \rightleftharpoons 2 \mathrm{NO}(g)$$ If the equilibrium partial pressures of \(\mathrm{N}_{2}, \mathrm{O}_{2},\) and NO are 0.15 atm, 0.33 atm, and 0.050 atm, respectively, at \(2200^{\circ} \mathrm{C},\) what is \(K_{P} ?\)

At \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\), a mixture of \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}\) and \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4}\) gases are in equilibrium in a cylinder fitted with a movable piston. The concentrations are \(\left[\mathrm{NO}_{2}\right]=0.0475 \mathrm{M}\) and \(\left[\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4}\right]=0.487 \mathrm{M} .\) The volume of the gas mixture is halved by pushing down on the piston at constant temperature. Calculate the concentrations of the gases when equilibrium is reestablished. Will the color become darker or lighter after the change? [Hint: \(K_{\mathrm{c}}\) for the dissociation of \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4}\) to \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}\) is \(4.63 \times 10^{-3} . \mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4}(g)\) is colorless and \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}(g)\) has a brown color. \(]\)

The following equilibrium constants were determined at \(1123 \mathrm{~K}\) $$\begin{array}{ll}\mathrm{C}(s)+\mathrm{CO}_{2}(g) \rightleftharpoons 2 \mathrm{CO}(g) & K_{P}^{\prime}=1.3 \times 10^{14} \\\\\mathrm{CO}(g)+\mathrm{Cl}_{2}(g) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{COCl}_{2}(g) & K_{P}^{\prime \prime}=6.0 \times 10^{-3}\end{array}$$ Write the equilibrium constant expression \(K_{P}\), and calculate the equilibrium constant at \(1123 \mathrm{~K}\) for $$\mathrm{C}(s)+\mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)+2 \mathrm{Cl}_{2}(g) \rightleftharpoons 2 \mathrm{COCl}_{2}(g)$$

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) undergoes thermal decomposition as follows: $$2 \mathrm{NaHCO}_{3}(s) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}(s)+\mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(g)$$ Would we obtain more \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) and \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) by adding extra baking soda to the reaction mixture in (a) a closed vessel or (b) an open vessel?

Based on rate constant considerations, explain why the equilibrium constant depends on temperature.
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