Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium
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लेसन नोट्स
Reversible Reactions
- In a reversible reaction, the products can react together to form the original reactants again.
- The reaction happens in both directions: the forward reaction makes products, and the reverse (backward) reaction makes reactants.
- A special symbol, ⇌, is used in equations to show that the reaction is reversible; the top arrow points right and the bottom arrow points left.
- The direction a reversible reaction takes can be changed by changing the conditions, such as temperature or pressure.
- Example: heating ammonium chloride produces ammonia and hydrogen chloride gases: NH₄Cl (s) ⇌ NH₃ (g) + HCl (g).
Hydrated copper(II) sulfate (blue) heated to anhydrous copper(II) sulfate (white); adding water reverses the change

Energy Changes in Reversible Reactions
- If a reversible reaction is exothermic in one direction, it is endothermic in the opposite direction.
- The same amount of energy is transferred in each direction.
- Example: heating hydrated copper(II) sulfate (blue) drives off water to form anhydrous copper(II) sulfate (white); this forward reaction is endothermic.
- Adding water to anhydrous copper(II) sulfate turns it blue again and releases heat; this reverse reaction is exothermic.
- The equation is: CuSO₄·5H₂O (s) ⇌ CuSO₄ (s) + 5H₂O (l).
Dynamic Equilibrium
- Dynamic equilibrium is reached when the rate of the forward reaction equals the rate of the reverse reaction.
- At equilibrium, the concentrations of reactants and products remain constant, but the reactions do not stop.
- Equilibrium can only be reached in a closed system, where no substances can enter or leave.
- In a closed system, the forward and reverse reactions continue at equal rates, so the amounts of reactants and products stay the same.
- Example: in the Haber process, N₂(g) + 3H₂(g) ⇌ 2NH₃(g), equilibrium is reached in a closed container.
The Haber Process
- Ammonia is manufactured by the Haber process from nitrogen and hydrogen.
- The equation is: N₂(g) + 3H₂(g) ⇌ 2NH₃(g).
- The forward reaction is exothermic.
- Typical conditions: temperature about 450 °C, pressure about 200 atmospheres, and an iron catalyst.
- Nitrogen is obtained from the air and hydrogen is obtained from natural gas.
- The reaction is reversible, so unreacted nitrogen and hydrogen are recycled back into the reactor.
Equilibrium and the Haber process

The Position of Equilibrium
- The position of equilibrium describes the relative amounts of reactants and products at equilibrium.
- If the position shifts to the right, more products are formed; if it shifts to the left, more reactants are formed.
- Le Chatelier’s principle states that when a change is made to a system at equilibrium, the system moves to oppose the change.
- The position of equilibrium can be changed by altering temperature, pressure, or concentration.
- A catalyst speeds up both the forward and reverse reactions equally, so it does not change the position of equilibrium or the yield.
Effect of Changing Concentration
- If the concentration of a reactant is increased, the equilibrium shifts to the right to make more product.
- If the concentration of a reactant is decreased, the equilibrium shifts to the left to make more reactant.
- If the concentration of a product is decreased, the equilibrium shifts to the right to make more product.
- Changing concentration pushes the system away from equilibrium, and it responds to restore equilibrium.
Effect of Temperature Changes
- If the temperature is increased, the equilibrium shifts in the direction of the endothermic reaction.
- If the temperature is decreased, the equilibrium shifts in the direction of the exothermic reaction.
- For an exothermic forward reaction, increasing temperature shifts the equilibrium to the left, reducing the yield of products.
- For an endothermic forward reaction, increasing temperature shifts the equilibrium to the right, increasing the yield of products.
Effect of Pressure Changes
- Changes in pressure only affect reactions involving gases.
- An increase in pressure shifts the equilibrium towards the side with the fewer gas molecules.
- A decrease in pressure shifts the equilibrium towards the side with the more gas molecules.
- If the number of gas molecules is the same on both sides, pressure has no effect on the position of equilibrium.
- Example: in N₂(g) + 3H₂(g) ⇌ 2NH₃(g), increasing pressure shifts equilibrium to the right because there are fewer gas molecules on the product side.
स्लाइड्स
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प्रैक्टिस सवाल
फ्री प्रीव्यू — 62 में से 8 सवाल। सभी देखने के लिए साइन अप करें।
1.What does the symbol ⇌ in a chemical equation mean?
Easy- AThe reaction is reversible
- BThe reaction releases energy
- CThe reaction has stopped
- DThe reaction needs a catalyst
2.Which statement about the Haber process is true?
Medium- AA higher yield of ammonia is obtained at lower temperatures
- BA pressure of 450 atmospheres is used
- CCopper is used as a catalyst
- DA higher yield of ammonia is obtained at lower pressures
3.Which two statements about a system at dynamic equilibrium are correct? (select all that apply)
Hard- AThe rate of the forward reaction equals the rate of the reverse reaction
- BThe concentrations of reactants and products remain unchanged
- CThe concentrations of reactants and products are equal
- DThe position of equilibrium cannot be changed
- EA catalyst is needed to establish dynamic equilibrium
4.At equilibrium, the forward and reverse reactions have stopped.
EasyTrue or false?
5.Equilibrium can only be reached in a closed system.
EasyTrue or false?
6.Place the stages of the Haber process in the correct order.
Medium- Hydrogen and nitrogen are obtained from natural gas and air
- Gases are compressed to about 200 atmospheres
- Gases pass over iron catalyst beds at 450°C
- Ammonia is liquefied and removed
- Unreacted hydrogen and nitrogen are recycled
7.Match each term with its correct definition.
Medium- Reversible reaction
- Dynamic equilibrium
- Closed system
- A reaction that can go in both forward and reverse directions
- When the rates of forward and reverse reactions are equal and concentrations remain constant
- A system where no reactants or products can escape
8.Which row correctly shows the type of reaction for the forward and backward reactions?
Medium- AForward: endothermic, Backward: exothermic
- BForward: exothermic, Backward: endothermic
- CForward: endothermic, Backward: endothermic
- DForward: exothermic, Backward: exothermic
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