E - Equilibrium Module Overview

Equilibrium Module Overview

Introduction

The concept of chemical equilibrium is often described by using the analogy of a tug-of-war contest. During such a contest, the participants are competing against each other on either side of the middle. In this analogy, the contestants are all tugging as hard as they possibly can, but sometimes there is just no change in the position of the rope. This is described as a dynamic process. Even though there is no change in the position, the participants are still competing as hard as they possibly can. This is in contrast to a static equilibrium wherein the contestants would perhaps reach a certain point and then simply stop.  

When we apply this scenario to the idea of chemical equilibrium, it is necessary to understand that chemical equilibria are examples of dynamic equilibria. This idea will be explored further in the first lesson of this module as the topic of reversible reactions is introduced and explained.

Module Lessons Preview

In this module, we will study the following topics:

• The Equilibrium Condition
• Equilibrium Calculations and ICE Tables
• Calculating Equilibrium Concentrations
• The Reaction Quotient, Q
• Le Chatelier's Principle
• Solubility Equilibria
• The Common Ion Effect

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