Reversible Reactions
Reversible Reactions
Reversible Reactions
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Irreversible reactions
Most chemical reactions are considered irreversible
the products that are made cannot readily be changed
back into their reactants.
For example, when wood burns
it is impossible to turn it back
into unburnt wood again!
Similarly, when magnesium
reacts with hydrochloric acid
to form magnesium chloride
and hydrogen, it is not easy
to reverse the reaction and
obtain the magnesium.
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+
(reactants)
(products)
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4O2
Hb.4O2
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hydrogen
chloride
NH3 (g)
HCl (g)
NH4Cl decomposes
back into NH3 and
HCl gases when
heated
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ammonium
chloride
NH4Cl (s)
NH4Cl reforms in
the cooler part
of the test tube
Reversible or irreversible?
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reactant B
product
+
Dynamic equilibrium can only take place in a closed system,
otherwise the products would escape.
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True or false?
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Opposing change
Whenever a change is made to a reversible reaction in
dynamic equilibrium, the equilibrium will shift to try and
oppose the change.
Condition
Effect
Temperature
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dinitrogen tetroxide
2NO2 (g)
N2O4 (g)
decreasing the
concentration of
substance A
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equilibrium shifts to
decrease the amount of
substance A
equilibrium shifts to
increase the amount of
substance A
water
bismuth
oxychloride
hydrochloric
acid
H2O (l)
BiOCl (s)
2HCl (aq)
Cl2 (g)
pale green
iodine
chloride
ICl (l)
brown
iodine
trichloride
ICl3 (s)
yellow
It will become
more yellow.
It will become
more brown.
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dinitrogen tetroxide
2NO2 (g)
N2O4 (g)
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What is ammonia?
Ammonia is an important compound
in the manufacture of fertilizer and
other chemicals such as cleaning
fluids and floor waxes.
It is made industrially by reacting
nitrogen with hydrogen in the Haber
process. It is a reversible reaction,
so it never goes to completion.
Why is this a problem for companies
making ammonia?
nitrogen
hydrogen
ammonia
N2 (g)
3H2 (g)
2NH3 (g)
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What is yield?
The amount of product made in a reaction is called the
yield and is usually expressed as a percentage.
pressure (atm)
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energy
equipment
wages
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Maximizing productivity
What else can be done to maximise productivity in the
manufacture of ammonia?
An iron catalyst is used to increase the rate of
reaction. It speeds up both the forward and backward
reaction, so the position of equilibrium is not affected.
The ammonia is cooled, liquefied and then removed
as it is produced. This causes the equilibrium to shift to
the right to produce more ammonia.
Unreacted nitrogen and hydrogen are recycled and
given another chance to react.
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Glossary
closed system A system in which reactants and
products cannot be added or removed once the reaction has
begun.
dynamic An equilibrium in which the forward and
backward reactions take place at the same rate, so no overall
change takes place.
Haber process The industrial-scale process for making
ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen.
irreversible A reaction that is impossible or very difficult
to reverse.
reversible A reaction in which the product(s) can be
turned back into the reactants.
yield The amount of product obtained from a reaction,
usually expressed as a percentage.
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Anagrams
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Multiple-choice quiz
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