Long Q/A Stoichiometry - Students Free Notes

Why are combustion reactions generally irreversible?

Combustion reactions are typically irreversible because they release a significant amount of energy in the form of heat and light, converting reactants (usually a fuel and oxygen) into highly stable products, such as carbon dioxide and water. The products of combustion are stable and do not readily revert back to the reactants. For example, burning … Read more

How can you drive the reversible reaction at equilibrium?

To drive a reversible reaction at equilibrium toward the product side, several strategies can be employed: Increase Reactant Concentration: Adding more reactants will shift the equilibrium position toward the products. According to Le Chatelier’s Principle, increasing the concentration of reactants will drive the reaction forward, favoring product formation. Decrease Product Concentration: By removing products as … Read more

How do you know if a reaction is reversible or irreversible?

Determining whether a reaction is reversible or irreversible depends on several factors related to the reaction’s nature, products, and the conditions under which it occurs. Here are a few ways to assess the reversibility of a reaction: Energy Change: If the reaction involves a significant release or absorption of energy, it can indicate whether the … Read more

Why are some reactions irreversible while others are reversible?

Reactions are classified as irreversible or reversible based on the nature of the reactants, products, and the energy changes involved. Irreversible Reactions: Some reactions are considered irreversible because they proceed to completion and cannot easily be reversed. This often occurs in reactions that release a significant amount of energy, such as combustion. For instance, when … Read more

How does a change in temperature affect the reaction at equilibrium?

A change in temperature can significantly affect the position of equilibrium, as predicted by Le Chatelier’s Principle. According to this principle, if a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change in temperature, the system will shift in such a way as to counteract that change. For an Exothermic Reaction (one that releases heat): If … Read more

How can you decrease the time to attain equilibrium?

To decrease the time it takes to attain equilibrium in a reversible reaction, there are several strategies that can be applied to speed up the process: Increase Temperature: Raising the temperature of a reaction generally increases the rate at which reactions occur because molecules move faster, leading to more frequent and energetic collisions between reactants. … Read more

Do the phase changes in water (solid to liquid, liquid to vapor) represent reversible equilibrium?

Yes, the phase changes of water, such as melting (solid to liquid) and boiling (liquid to vapor), represent reversible processes and can reach a state of dynamic equilibrium under the right conditions. When water is in a closed system, these phase changes occur in a way that the rates of the forward and reverse processes … Read more