AP Chemistry : Chemical Equilibrium

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Le Chatelier's Principle

If heat is added to an exothermic reaction, in which direction will the equilibrium shift according to Le Chatelier's principle?

Possible Answers:

It cannot be determined.

It shifts to the left.

It shifts to the right.

Equilibrium does not shift.

Correct answer:

It shifts to the left.

Explanation:

In an exothermic reaction, heat can be treated as a product. Thus, if you add more product (heat), the reaction will shift to the left to form more reactants. 

Example Question #1 : Le Chatelier's Principle

Which of the following stresses would lead the exothermic reaction below to shift to the right?

Possible Answers:

Decreasing the volume

Increasing the temperature

Increasing [C]

Increasing [A]

Correct answer:

Increasing [A]

Explanation:

By increasing the concentration of one of the reactants, the reaction will compensate by shifting to the right to increase production of products.

Increasing the concentration of one of the products (such as increasing [C]), however, would have the opposite effect. Increasing the temperature of an exothermic reaction would shift the reaction to the left, while increasing the temperature of an endothermic reaction would lead to a rightward shift. Finally, decreasing the volume leads to an increase in partial pressure of each gas, which the system compensates for by shifting to the side with fewer moles of gas. In this case, the right side has three moles of gas, while the left side has two; thus decreasing volume would shift equilibrium to the left.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Reaction Equilibrium

Figure 1: Ammonia gas formation and equilibrium

 

What would most likely happen if a scientist decreased the volume of the container in which the reaction occurs?

Possible Answers:

A violent explosion would occur

Less NH3 would form

More NH3 would form

More N2 would form

More H2 would form

Correct answer:

More NH3 would form

Explanation:

Le Chatelier's principle states that changes in pressure are attributable to changes in volume. If we increase the volume, the reaction will shift toward the side that has more moles of gas. If we decrease the volume, the reaction will shift toward the side that has less moles of gas. Since the product side has only two moles of gas, compared to the reactant side with four moles, the reaction would shift toward the product side, and more NH3 would form.

Example Question #1 : Le Chatelier's Principle

Which of the following reactions will be favored when the pressure in a system is increased?

I.

II.

III.

Possible Answers:

II and III only

II only

I, II, and III

I and II only

I only

Correct answer:

II only

Explanation:

With increased pressure, each reaction will favor the side with the least amount of moles of gas. In this problem we are looking for the reactions that favor the products in this scenario. I will favor reactants, II will favor products, III will favor reactants.

Example Question #1 : Le Chatelier's Principle

Consider the following reaction system, which has a Keq of 1.35 * 104, taking place in a closed vessel at constant temperature.

Which of the following is NOT true about this system at equilibrium?

Possible Answers:

Increasing the pressure will produce more AX5

The rate of formation of AX5 equals the rate of formation of AX3 and X2

Increasing the volume will produce more AX5

AX5 is the main compound present

Correct answer:

Increasing the volume will produce more AX5

Explanation:

An increase in volume will result in a decrease in pressure at constant temperature. As a result, the equilibrium will shift toward the side with the greater total moles of gas, according to Le Chatelier's Principle. This will result in less AX5 being produced.

The Keq tells us that the reaction favors the products because it is greater than 1. The definition of equilibrium is that the rate of formation of products equals the rate of formation of reactants.

Example Question #8 : Le Chatelier's Principle

What would happen to the Ksp if NH3 was added to an existing solution of Na2SO4?

Possible Answers:

It woud remain unchanged.

It would decrease.

It is impossible to determine.

It would increase.

Correct answer:

It woud remain unchanged.

Explanation:

Ksp is dependent only on the species itself and the temperature of the solution. Adding another compound or stressing the system will not affect Ksp.

Example Question #1 : Le Chatelier's Principle

Which of the following would occur if NH3 was added to an existing solution of Na2SO4?

Possible Answers:

Additional Na2SO4 will precipitate

No effect

Na2SO4 will dissolve more

It is impossible to determine

Correct answer:

Additional Na2SO4 will precipitate

Explanation:

Both Na2SO4 and ammonia are slightly basic compounds. Thus, adding ammonia will create a common ion effect, where less sodium sulfate will be able to dissolve and some would precipitate out of solution. 

Example Question #11 : Le Chatelier's Principle

Which of the following stresses to a system at equilibrium cause an increase in the production of CH3OH ? CO(g)+ 2H2(g) → CH3OH(g)
(a) H2 is added. (b) The volume is increased. (c) Argon is added. (d) Removing CO.

Possible Answers:

(a), (d)

(b)

(a)

(a), (c), (d)

(a), (b), (c), (d)

Correct answer:

(a)

Explanation:

LeChatelier’s principle states that if a stress is applied to a rxn mixture at equilibrium,
reaction occurs in the direction that relieves the stress. Therefore, adding H2 will produce
more methanol. By increasing the volume and decreasing the pressure, there will be a net
reaction in the direction that increases the number of moles of gas. So since there are 3
moles of gas on the products side and only 1 mole of gas on the reactants side, if the volume  is increased less methanol will be produced. Since Ar is an inert, it will have no effect on the amount of methanol produced. Removing CO will cause a shift in the reaction from right to left causing less methanol to be produced.

Example Question #32 : Chemical Equilibrium

 

Figure 1: Ammonia gas formation and equilibrium

Experimental data shows that the reaction shifts to the left at very cold temperatures. Using this information, what type of reaction is shown in Figure 1?

Possible Answers:

Exergonic

Boltzmann-like

Endothermic

Exothermic

Endergonic

Correct answer:

Endothermic

Explanation:

This is an application of Le Chatlier's Principle. When you take away heat from the reaction, the reaction shifts toward the left in order to compensate from the heat loss. The reaction may then be rewritten to include energy as a reactant.

Since the energy is on the reactant side, the reaction is endothermic.

Example Question #11 : Le Chatelier's Principle

Which of the following will not shift the equilibrium of a reaction?

Possible Answers:

Increasing the temperature

Adding more reactants

Adding a catalyst

Taking away products

Adding more products

Correct answer:

Adding a catalyst

Explanation:

A catalyst does not change the equilibrium of a reaction. Catalysts will affect reaction rate by lowering activation energy, but will ultimately have no effect on the amount of reactants and products present when equilibrium is reached.

Adding or removing reactants or products will result in a shift in equilibrium according to Le Chatelier's principle. Similarly, changing the temperature of a reaction will affect equilibrium in different ways depending on the enthalpy of reaction; increasing the temperature of an exothermic reaction will increase the reactant concentration, while increasing the temperature of an endothermic reaction will increase the products.

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