Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2014

Last exams 2024

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The Equilibrium Law (DP IB Chemistry: HL)

Exam Questions

2 hours27 questions
1a2 marks

State Le Chatelier's principle.

1b1 mark

Sulfur trioxide, SO3, decomposes to establish an equilibrium producing sulfur dioxide, SO2, and oxygen as shown in the reaction.

2SO3 (g) ⇌ 2SO2 (g) + O2 (g)        ΔH = +196 kJ mol-1


State the effect on the yield of sulfur dioxide if the concentration of sulfur trioxide is increased.

1c1 mark

Give the expression for Kc for the reaction outlined in part (b).

1d
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2 marks

For the reaction outline in part (a), at dynamic equilibrium, the concentrations of each compound are given in the table below when the temperature is 600°C. 

 

SO3

SO2

O2

Concentration at equilibrium (mol dm-3)

0.093

0.100

0.200


Calculate the value of Kc to 3 significant figures.

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2a1 mark

The reaction below shows the decomposition of dinitrogen tetroxide, N2O4, into two molecules of nitrogen dioxide, NO2

N2O4 (g) → 2NO2 (g)        ΔH = +58 kJ mol-1

A dynamic equilibrium is reached at a temperature of 298K. The concentrations of each of the compounds at equilibrium are shown in the table below.

 

N2O4

NO2

Concentration at equilibrium (mol dm-3)

0.0647

0.0206

Give the expression for Kc for this reaction.

2b
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2 marks

Calculate a value for Kc to three significant figures.

2c1 mark

State the units for Kc for the reaction outlined in part (a).

2d3 marks

At the start of the reaction outlined in part (a) dinitrogen tetroxide, N2O4, is the only compound present.

Sketch two lines on the graph shown below to show the change in concentration for both dinitrogen tetroxide, N2O4, and nitrogen dioxide, NO2 as the reaction reaches dynamic equilibrium. 

You should make reference to the information given in the table in part (a).

kc-graph

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3a1 mark

The following reaction was allowed to reach equilibrium at 761 K.

H2 (g) + I2 (g) not stretchy rightwards harpoon over leftwards harpoon 2HI (g)               ΔHθ < 0

State the equilibrium constant expression, Kc , for this reaction.

3b
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1 mark

The following equilibrium concentrations, in mol dm–3 , were obtained at 761 K.

[H2(g)] [I2(g)] [HI(g)]
8.72 x 10-4 2.72 x 10-3 1.04 x 10-2

Calculate the value of the equilibrium constant at 761 K.

3c
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1 mark

Determine the value of ΔGθ, in kJ, for the above reaction at 761 K using section 1 of the data booklet.

3d1 mark

Comment on whether this reaction is feasible.

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4a
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2 marks

Methanoic acid and methanol react to form the ester methyl methanoate and water as follows:

H2COOH (I) + CH3OH (I) ⇌ HCOOCH3 (I) + H2O (I)

At 35 oC, the free energy change, ΔG, for the reaction is -3.79 kJ mol-1.

Using sections 1 and 2 of the data booklet, calculate the value of Kc for this reaction to 2 decimal places.

4b2 marks

Using your answer to part (a), predict and explain the position of the equilibrium.

4c1 mark

The value for ΔG = -4.21 kJ mol-1 as the temperature is increased to 50°C.

State what happens to the value of the equilibrium constant.

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1a1 mark

Nitrogen(II) oxide is an atmospheric pollutant linked to acid rain. It can be formed by the combustion of fossil fuels or from the following dissociation of nitrosyl chloride. 

2NOCl (g) ⇌ 2NO (g) + Cl2 (g)    

Predict, giving your reason, the sign of the standard entropy change for the forward reaction.

1b1 mark

At 230 OC, the value of KC for the dissociation of nitrosyl chloride is 4.5 x 10-3. Describe the significance of the value of KC

1c2 marks

Using Sections 1 and 2 of the Data Booklet, calculate the standard Gibbs free energy change, ΔGӨ, in kJ mol-1, for this reaction at 230 OC.

1d1 mark

At 465 OC, the value of KC for the dissociation of nitrosyl chloride is 9.2 x 10-2. 

In terms of the equilibrium position, suggest how this KC value supports the fact that the forward reaction is endothermic.

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2a5 marks

The following reaction is used to manufacture sulfuric acid. 

2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2SO3 (g) 

A mixture of 2.00 mol SO2 (g) and 1.40 mol O2 (g) is placed inside a 1.00 dm3 flask and allowed to reach equilibrium at a temperature, T1. At equilibrium, 0.30 mol of SO3 (g) was present. Determine the equilibrium concentration of SO2 (g) and O2 (g), and hence calculate the value of KC, including units, at this temperature.

2b2 marks

Using Sections 1 and 2 of the Data Booklet and your answer to (a), calculate the standard Gibbs free energy change, ΔGӨ, in kJ mol-1, for this reaction at a temperature of 700K.

2c1 mark

Experimental data can be used to calculate the reaction quotient, Q, and the equilibrium constant, KC. 
Distinguish between these two terms.

2d2 marks

1.20 mol SO2 (g), 1.60 mol O2 (g) and 0.85 mol SO3 (g) were mixed in a 1.00 dm3 container at temperature, T2. 

2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2SO3 (g) 

Use your answer to (a) to deduce the direction of this reaction, showing your working.

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3a2 marks

Carbon monoxide and chlorine react to form phosgene, COCl2, according to the following equation. 

CO (g) + Cl2 (g) ⇌ COCl2 (g)

Deduce the equilibrium constant expression, KC, including units for this reaction.

3b4 marks

0.50 mol CO (g) and 0.30 mol Cl2 (g) were mixed in a 10.0 dm3 container. At equilibrium, 0.10 mol of COCl2 (g) was present. Determine the equilibrium concentration of CO (g) and Cl2 (g), and hence calculate the value of KC.

3c3 marks

Use Sections 1 and 2 of the Data Booklet with your answer to (b) to deduce, showing your working, the temperature of the reaction at which the standard Gibbs free energy change, ΔGӨ, is -8.40 kJ.

3d2 marks

At 873 K, the standard Gibbs free energy change, ΔGӨ, was found to be +11.7 kJ.

Deduce, giving your reasons, whether the forward reaction is endothermic or exothermic. Use your answer to (c).

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4a1 mark

The following thermochemical data is for the oxidation of iron to produce iron(III) oxide at 300 K.


                   ΔHӨ = -824.2 kJ mol-1

2Fe (s) + 3 over 2O2 (g) ⇌ Fe2O3 (s)

                        ΔSӨ = -270.5 J K-1 mol-1

Explain why the enthalpy value given is the enthalpy of formation, ΔHӨf, of iron(III) oxide.

4b2 marks

Using Section 1 of the Data Booklet, calculate the standard Gibbs free energy change, ΔGӨ, for the oxidation of iron to iron(III) oxide at 300 K.

4c3 marks

Use you answer to (b) and Sections 1 and 2 of the Data Booklet to calculate a value, in terms of e, for KC for this reaction at 300 K.

4d1 mark

Use your answer to (c) to explain why the following oxidation of iron to iron(III) oxide at 300 K can be considered to be irreversible. 

2Fe (s) + 3 over 2O2 (g) ⇌ Fe2O3 (s)

 

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5a2 marks

Ethanol and ethanoic acid react to form ethyl ethanoate according to the following equation. 

C2H5OH + CH3COOH ⇌ CH3COOC2H5 + H2O 

0.47 mol of ethanol and 0.25 mol of ethanoic acid were mixed in a 5.0 dm3 container and left to reach equilibrium. At equilibrium, there was found to be 0.28 mol of ethanol. Calculate the number of moles of the remaining chemicals at equilibrium.

5b2 marks

The reaction is performed in a 5.0 dm3 container. 

Deduce the equilibrium constant expression, KC, for the reaction of ethanol and ethanoic acid and explain why the number of moles can be used directly in your expression.

 

5c1 mark

Using your answer to part (b), calculate, showing your working, a value for the equilibrium constant expression, KC, for the reaction of ethanol and ethanoic acid.

5d2 marks

A second experiment reacting ethanol and ethanoic acid was performed. Analysis showed the equilibrium mixture to contain 0.16 mol ethanoic acid, 0.11 mol ethyl ethanoate and 0.12 mol water. Calculate the number of moles of ethanol in the equilibrium mixture.

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1a
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6 marks

A 0.680 mol sample of SO3 is introduced into a 3.04 dm3 reaction container and allowed to reach equilibrium at temperature T.
32% of the SO3 had decomposed. 

Calculate the value for Kc in this reaction, giving your answer to 2 significant figures. 

2 SO3 (g) ⇌ 2 SO2 (g) + O2 (g)      ΔH = +196 kJ mol-1

1b4 marks

The size of the container for the reaction in part (a) is decreased.
State the effect if any on the equilibrium constant, Kc, and the position of equilibrium. Justify your answer.

1c3 marks

The temperature of the reaction in part (a) is increased.
State the effect, if any, on the equilibrium constant, Kc, and the position of equilibrium. Justify your answer.

1d2 marks

Comment on whether the reaction in part (a) is likely to take place spontaneously at temperature T.

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2a
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5 marks

A mixture of 1.32 moles of E, 1.49 moles of F and 0.752 moles of G were placed into a 5.0 dm3 container at temperature, T, and allowed to reach equilibrium. At equilibrium, the number of moles of E was 1.86.

Calculate the value of the equilibrium constant, Kc , to 3 significant figures. 

2 E (g) ⇌ 2 F (g) + G (g)        ΔH = -143 kJ mol-1

2b
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5 marks

Reactants G and H react together to form products J and K according to the equation

3G + H ⇌ 4J + K

A beaker contained 35 cm3 of 0.18 mol dm-3 of an aqueous solution of G

8.41 x 10-3 moles of H and 3.1 x 10-3 moles of J were also added to the beaker. The equilibrium mixture contained 4.1 x 10-3 moles of G

Calculate the number of moles of H, J and K at equilibrium.

2c
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3 marks

Using sections 1 and 2 of the data booklet, calculate the equilibrium constant at 300 K for the oxidation of iron: 

2Fe(s) + begin mathsize 14px style 3 over 2 end styleO2 (g) → Fe2O3 (s) 
ΔHΘ = -824.2 kJ mol- 1 
ΔSΘ = -270.5 J mol-1
2d1 mark

Suggest what the value for Kc calculated in part (c) suggests about the equilibrium position for the oxidation of iron.

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3a
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3 marks

Diesters are compounds often used as synthetic lubricants for machinery such as compressors. The reaction below shows the formation of a diester from propanoic acid and propane-1,3-diol. 

2CH3CH2COOH + HOCH2CH2CH2OH  ⇌  C9H16O4 + 2H2O

At equilibrium, the reaction mixture contained 3.25 moles of CH3CH2COOH, 1.15 moles of HOCH2CH2CH2OH, and 1.18 moles of C9H16O4.

The value for Kc at temperature, T, is 1.29.

Calculate the concentration of water in the reaction mixture at equilibrium. Give your answer to 3 significant figures. 

3b2 marks

A student deduced that in order to calculate the value of Kc for the reaction in part (a) you must work out the concentrations using the overall volume. 

Is the student correct? Justify your answer.

3c
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2 marks

Using sections 1 and 2 of the data booklet, determine the value for ΔG for the reverse reaction in part(a) given that temperature T= 30°C. Give your answer, in kJ, to 2 significant figures.

3d4 marks

The reverse reaction in part (a) is slightly endothermic. At a different temperature, T2, the value for ΔG decreases to -0.52 kJ mol-1. 

State whether the new temperature, T2, is higher or lower than the original temperature.
Justify your answer.

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