Heterogeneous Equilibria
Heterogeneous equilibria involve systems where substances exist in multiple phases, such as solid, liquid, and gas. A classic example is the equilibrium established between water vapor and its liquid form, represented as:
H2O(l) ⇌ H2O(g)
In this case, the equilibrium constant can be expressed in terms of the concentrations of the gaseous and liquid phases.
Significance of the Equilibrium Constant
For reactions involving solids or liquids, their concentrations do not appear in the equilibrium expression as they remain unchanged; hence, we utilize only the concentrations of gaseous or aqueous species. For instance, considering the dissociation of calcium hydroxide:
Ca(OH)2(s) ⇌ Ca2+(aq) + 2OH−(aq)
The equilibrium constant expression would be:
Kc = [Ca2+][OH−]²
The constant nature of the concentration of solids or pure liquids is essential in analyzing the dynamic balance in heterogeneous systems.
Common Ion Effect and Solubility Product Constant
The common ion effect demonstrates how the solubility of a salt decreases upon the addition of a common ion. For example, adding sodium acetate to acetic acid increases acetate ion concentration, shifting equilibrium back toward the undissociated acid—this principle is applied in various chemical analyses and processes. The solubility product constant (Ksp) reflects the solubility levels of sparingly soluble salts in water and influences precipitation and dissolution dynamics.
Understanding these principles is key in fields such as environmental chemistry and material science, where reactions in different phases are common.