Which of the following about chemical equilibrium is false?

Not every statement about chemical equilibrium is true because some statements are false about reversible reactions in chemical equilibrium.

Well, a lot has been said about chemical system in reversible reactions but we need to re-establish the fact that equilibrium in chemical reactions are reached when the rate of reactions ( forward and backward) become equal.

Also remember that when this happen the properties of the system with respect to time becomes constant.

However there are some misconceptions about reversible chemical reactions in equilibrium.

So to really buttress the true statements of equilibrium and also highlight what is false about chemical equilibrium, we need to go further into chemical equilibrium with examples.

True statements of chemical reactions in equilibrium

1. When a chemical reaction is in equilibrium, the concentrations of reactants and products remains constant.
2. When a chemical reaction is in equilibrium, the properties of the system remains constant with time.
3. A reaction that aims to achieve chemical equilibrium must be reversible
4. The chemical reaction that attains equilibrium must be in a closed system
5. The equilibrium  position in a reversible reaction is not affected by the presence of a Catalyst

Now I’m going to mention and explain some concepts that are false about chemical equilibrium.

Which of the following is false about chemical equilibrium?

False statements about reversible reactions in chemical equilibrium

1. A Catalyst affect the equilibrium position of a reversible chemical reaction ( false)
2. The concentrations of reactants and products  are equal ( false)
3. The chemical equilibrium can be attained in an open system( false)

Is chemical equilibrium attained in all reactions?

No, chemical equilibrium is attained or reached in reversible chemical systems only with time though because rate of reactions do not become equal immediately reactions start.

21 Answers on reversible chemical reactions in equilibrium

• Why do Catalyst have no effect on equilibrium position?

A Catalyst in nature only alters rates of reaction but not equilibrium position

So, it can only increase the rate of both forward and backward reactions but will not be able to shift the equilibrium position to either left or right.

• What is meant by shift in equilibrium position?

A shift in equilibrium position implies that the position of equilibrium can go forward or backward depending on the favoured reactions.

Ideally, when a reaction shifts to the right, it means the forward reaction is favoured but when a reaction shifts to the left the backward reaction is favoured.

• When is equilibrium reached in chemical reactions?

Equilibrium is reached in chemical reactions when the rate of forward reaction equals rate of backward reaction in such a way that the concentration of reactants and products remains constant

• What factors affect the equilibrium position in chemical reactions?

According to Le Chateliers Principle, three constraints usually imposed on a system at equilibrium are Temperature, Pressure and concentration and these conditions alter equilibrium position.

Recall that the Le Chateliers Principle states that when an external constraints such as change in Temperature, pressure and concentration are imposed on a system in equilibrium,  the equilibrium position will shift so as to annul the effect

• What causes equilibrium in reactions to shift?

Equilibrium change or shift in position of equilibrium is caused by changes in temperature, concentration and pressure.

• How to determine equilibrium in acid base reactions

Since acid base reactions are reversible, chemical equilibrium can be reached.

The pKa is usually used to determine the equilibrium and equilibrium products.

The formula

pKa= -log Ka is used the products favoured.

The larger the pKa value, the more products are formed.

The smaller the plants, the more reactant( acid) are formed

• Why do most reactions in living systems avoid equilibrium

Living systems or organisms work continuously operating various metabolic processes producing energy which is usefully utilised in the body.

This is actually maintained by homeostasis without reaching equilibrium.

• Why do reversible reactions always result in chemical equilibrium?

Equilibrium is reached in chemical system and maintained also with time.

Reversible reactions results in chemical equilibrium when the rate of forward and backward reactions become constant.

.9 Which change will shift the equilibrium to the right in these reactions?

For example, CaCO₃===CaO + CO₂

                        N₂ + 3H₂===2NH₃

                        2SO₂ + O₂ ===2SO₃

These reactions are in chemical equilibrium and factors like change in Temperature, Pressure and concentrations can shift the equilibrium to the left or right.

• At what temperature do the forward and reverse corrosion reactions occur in equilibrium?

Actually corrosion of iron or steel and even Aluminium do happen at a range of temperatures

But the most important fact is that temperature change do affect the equilibrium position.

• Select all of the true statements regarding chemical equilibrium.

The statements that are true about equilibrium is that;

1. Rate of forward reaction equals rate of backward reaction
2. Concentration of reactants and products remains constant
3. Equilibrium occurs in closed system
4. Which of the following correctly describes chemical equilibrium?

Chemical equilibrium is a state in reversible chemical reactions when the rate of forward reaction equals rate of backward reaction

• Which of the following statements is true for a system at chemical equilibrium ?

A system at chemical equilibrium attains equilibrium when the rates of reactions become equal causing no net difference in the concentrations of both reactants and products.

Also the position of equilibrium is not affected by addition of a Catalyst.

• Why is a chemical equilibrium described as dynamic?

Chemical equilibrium in Chemistry is described as dynamic because it is not permanent but can be altered by changes in temperature, pressure and concentration.

So equilibrium position can shift to left or right depending on the changes in these conditions.

• Explain the difference between a physical equilibrium and chemical equilibrium

The major difference between physical and chemical equilibrium is that in chemical equilibrium, the concentrations of reactants and products remains constant while in physical equilibrium the physical state remains constant.

• Which of the following correctly describes a reaction that has reached chemical equilibrium?

Chemical equilibrium results if a system has both the forward and backward reactions equal.

• Which of the following describes all chemical equilibrium.

All chemical equilibrium state must have both reactions equal and concentrations of reactants and products constant

• What is a characteristic of chemical equilibrium but not physical equilibrium?

The characteristics of chemical equilibrium us tripartite

1. Rate of forward reaction equals rate of backward reaction
2. Concentrations of both forward reactants and products remains constant
3. The reversible chemical reaction must occur on a closed system and an addition of Catalyst has no effect
4. What condition must occur when a chemical reaction is at equilibrium?

But simply written again is that rate of forward and backward reactions become equal

Also the concentration of both reactants and products remains constant

The conditions are very similar to characteristics of equilibrium.

• What effect does the addition of a Catalyst have on a chemical reaction at equilibrium?

The truth is the addition of a Catalyst has no effect on equilibrium position.

However, the Catalyst can increase tge rate of both forward and backward reactions

Which of the following conditions characterizes a system in a state of chemical equilibrium?

Rate of forward reaction

• When a chemical reaction is at equilibrium, what will be the effect if more of the products is added ? More products being added is a factor of concentration.

So if you increase concentration on one side, the equilibrium will shift to the other side.

Moreover, if you decrease concentration on one side, the system will still shift so as to annul the effect.