Summary of Chemical Equilibrium
Chemical equilibria play a crucial role in biological and environmental processes, such as the transport of oxygen in hemoglobin. At equilibrium, the rate of a reaction's forward process equals its reverse process, resulting in constant concentrations of components. The equilibrium state is dynamic, involving ongoing reactions where reactants and products are in balance.
Key Characteristics of Equilibrium
- Dynamic Nature: At equilibrium, reactants continuously convert into products and vice versa.
- Equilibrium Expression: The equilibrium constant (K) is defined as the ratio of the concentrations of products to reactants, each raised to the power of their stoichiometric coefficients.
For a reaction:
aA + bB ⇌ cC + dD
The equilibrium constant expression is:
Kc = [C]^c [D]^d / [A]^a [B]^b
## Factors Affecting Equilibrium
- Concentration Change: Adding or removing reactants/products shifts equilibrium.
- Pressure Change: Affects gases where the number of moles differs.
- Temperature Change: Can shift the equilibrium position and alter the value of K.
- Catalysts: Increase the rate of reaching equilibrium without affecting K.
In conclusion, understanding equilibrium is vital for predicting the outcomes of chemical reactions and controlling reaction conditions in various applications.