Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry College of Arts and Sciences Visayas State University Name: Angelica Joy

G. Yu Year: BS Chem-2 Date Performed: September 4, 2012 Submitted: September 18, 2012 Experiment No. 7 Equilibrium and Le Chateliers Principle Date Course and

INTRODUCTION:
Equilibrium is a state in which there are no observable changes as time goes by. When a chemical reaction has reached the equilibrium state, the concentrations of reactants and products remain constant over time, and there are no observable changes in the system. Few chemical reactions proceed in only one direction. Most are reversible, at least to some extent. At the start of the reversible process, the reaction proceeds toward the formation of products. As soon as some product molecules are formed, the reverse process begins to take place and reactant molecules are formed from product molecules. Chemical equilibrium is achieved when the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equal and the concentrations of the products remain constant. This only shows that chemical equilibrium is a dynamic process. Chemical equilibrium represents a balance between forward and reverse reactions. Changes in experimental conditions may disturb the balance and shift the equilibrium position so that more or less of the desired product is formed. Variables that can be controlled experimentally are concentration, pressure, volume and temperature. In the experiment to be conducted, the students will focus on how the change in concentration of a reactant affects the system of equilibrium. There is a general rule that helps predict the direction in which an equilibrium reaction will move in the change of concentration. This rule, known as Le Chateliers principle, states that if an external stress is applied to a system at equilibrium, the system adjusts in such a way that the stress is partially offset as the system reaches a new equilibrium.

OBJECTIVES:
1. To prepare solutions in chemical equilibrium and to change the composition of the equilibrium state by an application of external stresses, specifically changes in concentration and temperature. 2. To shift chemical equilibria in desired directions by applications of appropriate stresses indicated by Le Chateliers principle.

METHODOLOGY:
A petri dish was placed on a clear plastic sheet. Then, the group covered the bottom of the petri dish with the KSCN solution. To indicate the ions that were present, the group wrote K(aq) and SCN on the plastic sheet. (aq) Two drops of Fe(NO3)3 solution was added to the petri dish. The color change was observed. The group likewise wrote Fe(aq) and NO3(aq) to show the ions that were added. Afterwards, a small crystal of KSCN was added to the petri dish. The formation of a darker colored- solution was observed. Then, another drop of Fe(NO3)3 solution was added to the dish. The change in color of the resulting solution was again observed. Lastly, a small crystal of Na2HPO4 was added to the dish to remove some Feion. The immediate clearing of color was noticed. Observations and results were recorded by the group.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Primarily, when Fe(NO3)3 solution was added to KSCN solution, a light-orange solution was formed. Lastly, when a small crystal of Na2HPO4 was added to the petri dish, the solution became colorless.

Secondly, when a small crystal of KSCN was added to the petri dish, a red solution was formed.

Third, when 2 drops of Fe(NO3)3 solution was added to the petri dish, a deep red solution was formed.

When iron(III) nitrate, [Fe(NO3)3] solution was added to the petri dish, it reacted to the potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) solution according to the following chemical reaction: Fe(NO3)3(aq) + 3KSCN(aq) Fe(aq) + 3NO3(aq) + 3K(aq) + 3SCN(aq) 3NO3(aq) Spectator ions A spectator ion is a charged atom or group of atoms in a chemical reaction that does not undergo a chemical change or change state when the reaction takes place. In chemical reactions, compounds that contain ions are often dissolved in water, resulting in a state called aqueous ions. When two ionic compounds are dissolved into an aqueous state, or both are dissolved into the same solvent, their ions separate, so any ions that made up the first compound can interact with any ions from the second compound. It is not necessary for all ions to interact in this state, and if some ions do not interact, they usually remain dissolved in solution. According to the above statement, K ion and NO3 ion were considered spectator ions since they did not dissolve in water and likewise, were both present in the reactant and product side, and thus, were not involved in the overall chemical reaction. Therefore, they were canceled out, and obtained the net ionic equation shown below: Fe(aq) + SCN(aq) FeSCN(aq) The formation of ferric thiocyanate complex gave a light-orange solution. Addition of KSCN crystal When a small crystal of KSCN was added to the petri dish, it reacted to the solution according to the equation shown below: Fe(aq) + SCN (aq) SCN (aq) FeSCN(aq) SCN(aq) FeSCN(aq) + 3KNO3(aq) FeSCN(aq) + 3K(aq) + which can be broken down into their ionic equation:

Net ionic equation:

Fe(aq) + 2SCN(aq)

FeSCN(aq)

(The addition of a small crystal of KSCN increased the concentration of the reactants.) Since more SCN (thiocyanate ion) ion was present in the reactant side, the equilibrium system shifted to the right. The forward reaction was indicated when the color of the solution intensified. It became a red solution afterwards. Addition of Fe(NO3)3 solution When a drop of Fe(NO3)3 solution was added to the petri dish, it likewise reacted to the solution according to the equation shown below: Fe(aq) + 2SCN(aq) Fe(aq) FeSCN(aq) Fe(aq) FeSCN(aq)

Net ionic equation: 2 Fe(aq) + 2SCN(aq)

(The addition of Fe(NO3)3 solution increases the concentration of the reactants.) Since more Fe(ferric ion) ion were present in the reactant side, the equilibrium system shifted to the right. The forward reaction was indicated when the color of the solution darkened more. It turned to a deep red solution. Addition of Na2HPO4 When Na2HPO4 was added to the petri dish, it reacted to the solution according to the equation shown below: HPO4(aq) + Fe(aq) FeHPO4(aq)

(The addition of Na2HPO4 decreases the concentration of the reactants.) Adding Na2HPO4 reduces the concentration of Fe(aq) by forming the colorless complex FeHPO4(aq). This reaction caused a shift in equilibrium to the left and the formation of a light color.

CONCLUSION:
This experiment demonstrates that all reactants and products are present in the reacting system at equilibrium. Increasing the concentrations of the reactants (Fe or SCN) shifts the equilibrium to the right, intensifying the color of the solution. Adding a compound which binds strongly to Fe ions (like Na2HPO4), removes Fe ion in the solution, thus, decreasing the concentration of the reactants, which causes the equilibrium to shift to the left and producing a lighter solution.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS:
1. Why are K(aq) and NO3(aq) ions not included in the equilibrium reaction? They are spectator ions. A spectator ion is a charged atom or group of atoms in a chemical reaction that does not undergo a chemical change or change state when the reaction takes place. 2. When a crystal of KSCN was added, the solution became darker as a result of the formation of more FeSCN(aq) . How could more FeSCN(aq) form if no additional Fe(aq) was added? The addition of KSCN solution increases the concentration of the reactants, thus forming a darker solution. Based on the equation shown in the discussion part, more SCN (thiocyanate ion) ion was present in the reactant side, which actually came from the small crystal of KSCN added. Thus, the system shifted in the right to create equilibrium. The forward reaction was indicated when the color of the solution intensified. 3. What would you suggest be done to restore an equilibrium system after the last part of the demonstration? The equilibrium can be restored by the addition of a KSCN solution. No color change can be observed since KSCN solution is colorless, just like the color of the solution in the petri dish.

REFERENCES:

Chemistry 9th Edition by Raymond Chang Chemistry 111 (Thermochemistry) Laboratory Manual http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-spectator-ion.htm http://mysite.verizon.net/d_marin/SP/PDF/Equilibrium_and_LeChateliers_Principle.pdf