Name: using q to track equilibrium changes
Uploaded: 2020-09-24T15:06:50.000Z
Duration: 2 min 35 s
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

north-carolina-k-12-science-standard-course-of-study

North Carolina K-12 Science Standard Course of Study

9-12

Chemistry

Matter and its Interactions

PS.Chm.5.2

Reaction Quotient

The equilibrium constant expression is written as the molar concentrations of the products, C and D, over the reactants, A and B, at equilibrium, each raised to their respective stoichiometric coefficients. When solved, the expression is equal to the equilibrium constant, Kc.
An expression in the same form can also be written for the reactants and products at any concentration, and the calculated quantity is known as the reaction quotient, Qc.
Like Qc, the Qp expression can be written for gaseous reactions using partial pressures.
While K remains constant at a specific temperature irrespective of concentration, the value of Q changes as the reaction proceeds towards the products or the reactants.
The reaction quotient can be used to determine the direction a reaction will proceed in order to reach equilibrium.
At the start of a given reaction, if the concentration of the products is zero, the reaction quotient is zero.
Whenever the concentration of the reactants in the denominator is high, such that Q is smaller than K, the reaction will move to the right to synthesize more products until the system reaches equilibrium.
If the concentration of the reactants is zero, the reaction quotient is infinite.
Whenever the concentration of the products in the numerator is high, such that Q is larger than K, the reaction will move to the left to produce more reactants.
If Q is equal to K, the system is at equilibrium, and the rate of the forward and reverse reactions are equal.
Consider the given reaction with an equilibrium constant 50. If the reaction mixture contains 0.20 molar hydrogen, 0.20 molar iodine, and 1.7 molar hydrogen iodide, the direction of the reaction shown can be determined by calculating Q.
Substituting the given concentrations into the expression, Q equals 72, which is greater than K. Therefore, the reaction will shift towards the left.

reaction quotient

The status of a reversible reaction is conveniently assessed by evaluating its reaction quotient (Q). For a reversible reaction described by m A + n B &#8652; x C + y D, the reaction quotient is derived directly from the stoichiometry of the balanced equation as
<img alt='"Cyclic glucose and fructose chemical structure diagram with molecular bonds and functional groups."' src="/files/ftp_upload/11389/11389_Equation_1.png" style="text-align: center; height: 90px;" data-altupdatedat="1754904545000" data-alt="Quantum harmonic oscillator wavefunctions; &#968;n(x) equation diagram; particle in potential well." />
where the subscript c denotes the use of molar concentrations in the expression. If the reactants and products are gaseous, a reaction quotient may be similarly derived using partial pressures:
<img alt="Polyprotic acid dissociation, Henderson-Hasselbalch equations, chemical equilibrium diagram." src="/files/ftp_upload/11389/11389_Equation_2.png" style="text-align: center; height: 90px;" data-altupdatedat="1754904545000" data-alt="DNA replication diagram; leading/lagging strands, enzymes: helicase, DNA polymerase, primase." />
Note that the reaction quotient equations above are a simplification of more rigorous expressions that use relative values for concentrations and pressures rather than absolute values. These relative concentration and pressure values are dimensionless (they have no units); consequently, so are the reaction quotients.
The numerical value of Q varies as a reaction proceeds towards equilibrium; therefore, it can serve as a useful indicator of the reaction&#8217;s status. To illustrate this point, consider the oxidation of sulfur dioxide:
<img alt="Mass spectrometry diagram showing ionization, mass analysis, and detection stages." src="/files/ftp_upload/11389/11389_Equation_3.png" style="text-align: center; height: 50px;" data-altupdatedat="1754904545000" data-alt="Kirchhoff's law diagram with labeled currents and resistances; &#931;I=0, loop analysis method." />
Two different experimental scenarios are possible here, one in which this reaction is initiated with a mixture of reactants only, SO2 and O2, and another that begins with only product, SO3. For the reaction that begins with a mixture of reactants only, Q is initially equal to zero:
<img alt="Kinematic equations, &#931;F=0, MA=0; diagram of force vectors on an inclined plane for physics analysis." src="/files/ftp_upload/11389/11389_Equation_4.png" style="text-align: center; height: 90px;" data-altupdatedat="1754904545000" data-alt="Static equilibrium diagram with forces &#931;Fx=0, MA=0; object stability analysis using force vectors." />
As the reaction proceeds toward equilibrium in the forward direction, reactant concentrations decrease (as does the denominator of Qc), product concentration increases (as does the numerator of Qc), and the reaction quotient consequently increases. When equilibrium is achieved, the concentrations of reactants and product remain constant, as does the value of Qc.
If the reaction begins with only product present, the value of Qc is initially undefined (immeasurably large, or infinite):
<img alt="Static equilibrium diagram; &#931;Fx=0, &#931;Fy=0, particle system, forces, tension, pulley, axis labels." src="/files/ftp_upload/11389/11389_Equation_5.png" style="text-align: center; height: 90px;" data-altupdatedat="1754904545000" data-alt="Chromatography setup diagram for separation process illustrating mobile and stationary phases." />
In this case, the reaction proceeds toward equilibrium in the reverse direction. The product concentration and the numerator of Qc decrease with time, the reactant concentrations and the denominator of Qc increase, and the reaction quotient consequently decreases until it becomes constant at equilibrium. The constant value of Q exhibited by a system at equilibrium is called the equilibrium constant, K:
<img alt="Electrochemical cell diagram with salt bridge, anode, cathode, oxidation, reduction process." src="/files/ftp_upload/11389/11389_Equation_6.png" style="text-align: center; height: 50px;" data-altupdatedat="1754904545000" data-alt="Chromatography column diagram showing separation process with labeled sample bands for analysis." />
Evaluating a Reaction Quotient
Gaseous nitrogen dioxide forms dinitrogen tetroxide according to this equation:
<img alt="Static equilibrium, &#931;Fx=0, &#931;Fy=0 equations, force diagram with tension, normal, gravitational forces." src="/files/ftp_upload/11389/11389_Equation_7.png" style="text-align: center; height: 50px;" data-altupdatedat="1754904545000" data-alt="Chemical reaction mechanism diagram: Addition-elimination step with intermediates and transition states." />
When 0.10 mol NO2 is added to a 1.0-L flask at 25 &#176;C, the concentration changes so that at equilibrium, [NO2] = 0.016 M and [N2O4] = 0.042 M. Before any product is formed, [NO2] = 0.10 M and [N2O4] = 0 M. Thus,
<img alt="Chemical equilibrium; K=([C]^c[D]^d)/([A]^a[B]^b); reaction equation diagram; equilibrium constant." src="/files/ftp_upload/11389/11389_Equation_8.png" style="text-align: center; height: 90px;" data-altupdatedat="1754904545000" data-alt="Mechanics principles, &#931;Fx=0, diagram of a beam in static equilibrium with forces and moments labeled." />
At equilibrium,
<img alt="Static equilibrium, force balance diagram; &#931;Fx=0, &#931;Fy=0; physics, mechanical analysis." src="/files/ftp_upload/11389/11389_Equation_9.png" style="text-align: center; height: 90px;" data-altupdatedat="1754904545000" data-alt="DNA transcription process diagram; DNA&#8594;RNA conversion via RNA polymerase actions." />
This text has been adapted from <a href="https://openstax.org/books/chemistry-2e/pages/13-2-equilibrium-constants">Openstax, Chemistry 2e, Section 13.2 Equilibrium Constants</a><a href="https://openstax.org/books/chemistry-2e/pages/13-2-equilibrium-constants">.</a>

The status of a reversible reaction is conveniently assessed by evaluating its reaction quotient (Q). For a reversible reaction described by m A + n B ...

Education

JoVE Core

Chemical Equilibrium

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

using q to track equilibrium changes

Reaction quotient Q helps track how far a reversible reaction has moved toward equilibrium. For a balanced reaction such as m A + n B ⇌ x C + y D, Q comes directly from the stoichiometric coefficients in the equation. When concentrations are used, the expression is written as Qc. For gases, a similar form uses partial pressures.

These expressions use relative concentration and pressure values, not absolute values. That means reaction quotients are dimensionless and have no units. As a reaction moves toward equilibrium, the value of Q changes, so it gives a snapshot of the system’s status.

The oxidation of sulfur dioxide shows how Q changes over time. If a reaction starts with only reactants, SO2 and O2, then Q is initially zero. As the reaction moves forward, reactant concentrations drop, the denominator of Qc gets smaller, product concentration rises, and Qc increases.

If the reaction starts with only product, SO3, then Qc is initially undefined and can be treated as immeasurably large or infinite. In that case, the reaction moves in reverse toward equilibrium. Product concentration and the numerator of Qc decrease, while reactant concentrations and the denominator increase. Qc keeps dropping until it becomes constant at equilibrium.

The constant value of Q for a system at equilibrium is the equilibrium constant, K. A nitrogen dioxide example shows how this works in practice. When 0.10 mol NO2 is placed in a 1.0-L flask at 25 °C, the initial concentrations are [NO2] = 0.10 M and [N2O4] = 0 M, so Qc can be found from the starting amounts. At equilibrium, [NO2] = 0.016 M and [N2O4] = 0.042 M, and Qc is calculated again from those concentrations.

Using Q to Track Equilibrium Changes

the equilibrium constant

Chemical Equilibrium and Kc Rules

Chemical equilibrium and the equilibrium constant Kc describe how reactants and products are balanced in a reaction. In the oxidation of sulfur dioxide, a mixture that starts with reactants only has no product at first. As the reaction moves forward toward equilibrium, reactant concentrations decrease and product concentration increases. When equilibrium is reached, the concentrations of both stay constant. A reaction can also begin with only products present. In that case, the reaction moves...

le chatelier's principle: changing concentration

le-chatelier-s-principle-changing-concentration

Shifting Equilibrium by Changing Concentration

Chemical equilibrium is a dynamic balance. At equilibrium, the forward and reverse reactions happen at equal rates. If the system is stressed in a way that changes one rate more than the other, it is no longer at equilibrium and will shift until balance is restored. This behavior is described by Le Châtelier’s principle. Changes in concentration are a major stress on an equilibrium system. Reaction rates depend mainly on concentration and temperature. For that reason, changing the amount of a...

homogeneous equilibria for gaseous reactions

homogeneous-equilibria-for-gaseous-reactions

Relating Kc and Kp in Gas Equilibria

Gas-phase equilibrium can be written using either concentration or pressure. The equilibrium constant may be shown as Kc, which uses molar concentration, or as Kp, which uses partial pressure of the reactants and products. The link between Kc and Kp comes from the ideal gas equation and the definition of molarity. Molarity is the number of moles divided by volume. In the ideal gas equation, P stands for partial pressure, V for volume, n for number of moles, R for the gas constant, and T for...

calculating the equilibrium constant

Finding Kc from Equilibrium Data

The equilibrium constant, Kc, can be found from the equilibrium concentrations of reactants and products. When those concentrations are known, the calculation is straightforward. The values are placed into the Kc expression for the reaction. One example uses nitrogen dioxide and dinitrogen tetroxide. When 0.10 mol NO2 is added to a 1.0-L flask at 25 °C, the concentrations change until equilibrium is reached. At equilibrium, [NO2] is 0.016 M and [N2O4] is 0.042 M, and these values are used to...

Reaction quotient Q helps track how far a reversible reaction has moved toward equilibrium. For a balanced reaction such as m A + n B ⇌ x C + y D, Q comes directly from the stoichiometric coefficients in the equation. When concentrations are used, the expression is written as Qc. For gases, a similar form uses partial pressures. These expressions use relative concentration and pressure values, not absolute values. That means reaction quotients are dimensionless and have no units. As a reaction...

calculating equilibrium concentrations

Equilibrium Concentrations from an ICE Table

Equilibrium concentrations can be found from initial concentrations and an equilibrium constant. This skill matters in many areas of science and technology, including pharmaceutical product formulation and dosing. After a drug is ingested or injected, it may take part in several chemical equilibria that change its final concentration in the body system of interest. Scientists use these quantitative equilibrium relationships to help calculate a dosage that will produce the desired therapeutic...

dynamic equilibrium

Chemical Equilibrium in Reversible Reactions

Chemical equilibrium in reversible reactions happens when a reaction moves in both directions at the same time. A reversible reaction uses a double arrow to show that products can turn back into reactants. At equilibrium, the concentrations of reactants and products stay constant over time because the forward and reverse reaction rates are equal. The video uses the reversible decomposition of colorless dinitrogen tetroxide to brown nitrogen dioxide as an example. At time zero, there is finite...

le chatelier's principle: changing volume (pressure)

le-chatelier-s-principle-changing-volume-pressure

Gas Equilibrium Under Volume Changes

Gas-phase equilibrium can shift when the volume of the system changes. In these reactions, a change in pressure changes concentration because the partial pressure of an ideal gas is proportional to its molar concentration. That means pressure changes affect equilibrium in the same way as concentration changes. When the volume of a gas mixture changes, the concentrations of reactants and products change together. Since every gas in the equilibrium occupies the same space, the same volume change...

le chatelier's principle: changing temperature

le-chatelier-s-principle-changing-temperature

Le Chatelier's Principle in Heating and Cooling

Le Chatelier's principle helps explain how chemical equilibrium responds to heating and cooling. A system at equilibrium will shift to restore balance after a temperature change, but the equilibrium constant, K, will not stay the same. Instead, the mixture reaches a new equilibrium with a different composition. This temperature effect is different from a concentration change, which shifts equilibrium without changing K. To understand why temperature matters, the reaction can be written with...

the small x assumption

Estimating Equilibrium with Small Changes

A small equilibrium constant can make equilibrium calculations easier. In these reactions, the equilibrium position favors the reactants. When the initial reactant concentration is high and the Kc value is small, the change in concentration may be negligible. In that case, the equilibrium concentration is close to the initial concentration. This idea helps simplify weak acid and weak base problems. Chemists can assume that some equilibrium concentrations are equal to the initial concentrations.

key terms and concepts

Learn how the reaction quotient Q shows whether a reversible reaction is moving forward, reversing, or reaching equilibrium using concentration and pressure examples.

Using Q to Track Equilibrium Changes | JoVE K12

chemistry

JoVE Core Chemistry brings general chemistry concepts to life using concise and easy-to-understand animated video lessons. Plus, in the scientist-in-action videos, we demonstrate classical and original research experiments performed in today's laboratories worldwide.

Pennsylvania State Academic Standards

Physical Science

Chemical Reactions

3.2.9-12.F

Louisiana Student Standards for Science

High School

Matter And Its Interactions

HS-PS1-6

ohios-learning-standards-and-model-curriculum

Ohio’s Learning Standards and Model Curriculum

Interactions Of Matter

Chemical reactions

Arizona Science Standards

HS+C.P1

HS+C.P1U1.6

Next Generation Science Standards

Matter and Its Interactions

Florida Department of Education

SC.912.P.12

SC.912.P.12.13

new-york-state-science-learning-standards

New York State Science Learning Standards

HS. Chemical Reactions

HS-PS1-6.

Scientific Laws and Theories

Scientific Laws

In science, a law is defined as a concise, verbal or mathematical, statement that summarizes a vast number of experimental observations. ...

The Scientific Method

Chemistry is an empirical science. Scientists often pose questions to understand the chemistry in everyday life and seek answers to these questions. To ...

Classifying Matter by State

Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Matter is all around us; the air, ...

Classifying Matter by Composition

Matter: Pure Substances and Mixtures
According to its composition, the matter can be classified into two broad categories &mdash; pure substances and ...

The Atomic Theory of Matter

The earliest recorded discussion of the basic structure of matter comes from ancient Greek philosophers. Leucippus and Democritus argued that all matter ...

Subatomic Particles

Dalton was only partially correct about the particles that make up matter. All matter is composed of atoms, and atoms are composed of three smaller ...

Elements: Chemical Symbols and Isotopes

A chemical symbol is an abbreviation used to indicate an element or an atom of an element. For example, the symbol for mercury is Hg. The same symbol is ...

Use models to explain how the scientific understanding of atomic structure has evolved.

PS.Chm.1.1

Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations

Nuclear chemistry is the study of reactions that involve changes in nuclear structure. The nucleus of an atom is composed of protons and, except for ...

Types of Radioactivity

The most common types of radioactivity are &#945; decay, &#946; decay, &#947; decay, neutron emission, and electron capture.
Alpha (&#945;) decay is the ...

Nuclear Stability

Protons and neutrons, collectively called nucleons, are packed together tightly in a nucleus. With a radius of about 10&#8722;15 meters, a nucleus is ...

Nuclear Binding Energy

The difference between the calculated and experimentally measured masses is known as the mass defect of the atom. In the case of helium-4, the mass defect ...

Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating

Radioactivity is a spontaneous disintegration of an unstable nuclide and is a random process, as all the nuclei in the sample do not decay simultaneously. ...

Nuclear Fission

Many heavier elements with smaller binding energies per nucleon can decompose into more stable elements that have intermediate mass numbers and larger ...

Nuclear Power

Controlled nuclear fission reactions are used to generate electricity. Any nuclear reactor that produces power via the fission of uranium or plutonium by ...

Nuclear Fusion

The process of converting very light nuclei into heavier nuclei is also accompanied by the conversion of mass into large amounts of energy, a process ...

Nuclear Transmutation

Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one nuclide into another. It can occur by the radioactive decay of a nucleus, or the reaction of a nucleus with ...

Use models to compare nuclear reactions including alpha decay, beta decay and gamma decay; nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.

PS.Chm.1.2

Atomic Orbitals

An atomic orbital represents the three-dimensional regions in an atom where an electron has the highest probability to reside. The radial distribution ...

The Pauli Exclusion Principle

The arrangement of electrons in the orbitals of an atom is called its electron configuration. We describe an electron configuration with a symbol that ...

The Energies of Atomic Orbitals

In an atom, the negatively charged electrons are attracted to the positively charged nucleus. In a multielectron atom, electron-electron repulsions are ...

The Aufbau Principle and Hund's Rule

To determine the electron configuration for any particular atom, we can build the structures in the order of atomic numbers. Beginning with hydrogen, and ...

electron-configuration-of-multielectron-atoms

Electron Configuration of Multielectron Atoms

The alkali metal sodium (atomic number 11) has one more electron than the neon atom. This electron must go into the lowest-energy subshell available, the ...

Use models to explain how electrons are distributed in atoms.

PS.Chm.1.3

Periodic Classification of the Elements

The periodic table arranges atoms based on increasing atomic number so that elements with the same chemical properties recur periodically. When their ...

The Periodic Table

As early chemists discovered more elements, they realized that various elements could be grouped by their similar chemical behaviors. One such grouping ...

Atomic Mass

Atoms &mdash; and the protons, neutrons, and electrons that compose them &mdash; are extremely small. For example, a carbon atom weighs less than 2 ...

Molar Mass

The identity of a substance is defined not only by the types of atoms or ions it contains but by the quantity of each type of atom or ion. For example, ...

Use the Periodic Table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the pattern of valence electrons in the outermost energy levels of atoms.

PS.Chm.2.1

atomic-radii-and-effective-nuclear-charge

Atomic Radii and Effective Nuclear Charge

The elements in groups of the periodic table exhibit similar chemical behavior. This similarity occurs because the members of a group have the same number ...

Ionic Radii

Ionic radius is the measure used to describe the size of an ion. A cation always has fewer electrons and the same number of protons as the parent atom; it ...

Ionization Energy

The amount of energy required to remove the most loosely bound electron from a gaseous atom in its ground state is called its first ionization energy ...

Electron Affinity

The electron affinity (EA) is the energy change for adding an electron to a gaseous atom to form an anion (negative ion).



This process can be either ...

Construct an explanation to infer the atomic size, reactivity, electronegativity, and ionization energy of an element based on its position in the Periodic Table.

PS.Chm.2.2

Types of Chemical Bonds

Chemical bonding theories were pioneered by American chemist Gilbert&#xA0;N. Lewis. He developed a model called the Lewis model to explain the type and ...

Lewis Symbols and the Octet Rule

Chemical bonds are complex interactions between two or more atoms or ions, which reduce the potential energy of the molecule. Gilbert N. Lewis developed a ...

Ionic Bonding and Electron Transfer

Ions are atoms or molecules bearing an electrical charge. A cation (a positive ion) forms when a neutral atom loses one or more electrons from its valence ...

The Born-Haber Cycle

Lattice Energy&#xA0;

An ionic compound is stable because of the electrostatic attraction between its positive and negative ions. The lattice energy of a ...

trends-in-lattice-energy-ion-size-and-charge

Trends in Lattice Energy: Ion Size and Charge

An ionic compound is stable because of the electrostatic attraction between its positive and negative ions. The lattice energy of a compound is a measure ...

Covalent Bonding and Lewis Structures

Compared to ionic bonds, which results from the transfer of electrons between metallic and nonmetallic atoms, covalent bonds result from the mutual ...

Electronegativity

Whether a bond is nonpolar or polar covalent is determined by a property of the bonding atoms called electronegativity.&#xA0;

Electronegativity values of ...

bond-polarity-dipole-moment-and-percent-ionic-character

Bond Polarity, Dipole Moment, and Percent Ionic Character

Bond Polarity

The absolute value of the difference in electronegativity (&Delta;EN) of two bonded atoms provides a rough measure of the polarity to be ...

lewis-structures-of-molecular-compounds-and-polyatomic-ions

Lewis Structures of Molecular Compounds and Polyatomic Ions

To draw Lewis structures for complicated molecules and molecular ions, it is helpful to follow a step-by-step procedure as outlined:


	Determine the ...

Resonance

The Lewis structure of a nitrite anion (NO2&minus;) may actually be drawn in two different ways, distinguished by the locations of the N-O and N=O ...

Formal Charges

In some cases, there are seemingly more than one valid Lewis structures for molecules and polyatomic ions. The concept of formal charges can be used to ...

Exceptions to the Octet Rule

Many covalent molecules have central atoms that do not have eight electrons in their Lewis structures. These molecules fall into three categories:


	...

Bond Energies and Bond Lengths

Stable molecules exist because covalent bonds hold the atoms together. The strength of a covalent bond is measured by the energy required to break it, ...

Analyze and interpret data to explain the mechanisms and properties of the two main types of intramolecular (ionic and covalent) bonds.

PS.Chm.3.1

molecular-comparison-of-gases-liquids-and-solids

Molecular Comparison of Gases, Liquids, and Solids

Particles in a solid are tightly packed together (fixed shape) and often arranged in a regular pattern; in a liquid, they are close together with no ...

Intermolecular vs Intramolecular Forces

Intermolecular forces (IMF) are electrostatic attractions arising from charge-charge interactions between molecules. The strength of the intermolecular ...

Intermolecular Forces

Atoms and molecules interact through bonds (or forces): intramolecular and intermolecular. The forces are electrostatic as they arise from interactions ...

comparing-intermolecular-forces-melting-point-boiling-point

Comparing Intermolecular Forces: Melting Point, Boiling Point, and Miscibility

Intermolecular forces are attractive forces that exist between molecules. They dictate several bulk properties, such as melting points, boiling points, ...

surface-tension-capillary-action-and-viscosity

Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity

Surface Tension
The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded ...

Hydrogen Bonds

Hydrogen BondsHydrogen bonds are weak attractions between atoms that have formed other chemical bonds. One of these atoms is electronegative, like oxygen, ...

Van der Waals Interactions

Atoms and molecules interact with each other through intermolecular forces. These electrostatic forces arise from attractive or repulsive interactions ...

Construct an explanation to summarize the influences intermolecular forces have on the properties of chemical compounds.

PS.Chm.3.2

Molecules and Compounds

Atoms and Molecules

Everything in the universe is made up of matter, and matter is composed of a combination of elements. An atom is the smallest unit of ...

Use models to predict chemical names and formulas including ionic (binary & ternary), acidic, and binary covalent compounds.

PS.Chm.3.3

Analyze the structure of atoms and isotopes.

Using Q to Track Equilibrium Changes

Description

Transcript

Tags

More videos by Standards