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Basic Chemical Equilibrium
- Chemical equilibrium is the location in a reaction that the concentrations of all reactants and products stay constant over a long period of time. Chemical equilibrium occurs in any reaction that is done in a closed system.
-Equilirium is not when a reaction has stopped or become complete. It is a balance between the foreward reaction and the backward reaction. An example of this is when sugar is dissolved in water. Although not a chemical reaction, the equilibriumidea still applies. The solid sugar is dissolving at the same rate as dissolved sugar is re-forming. This is basic equilibrium.
Equation
[C]c [D}d
K= _________
[A]a [b]b
Steps to solve an equilibrium equation.
1- Change the A,B,C,D in the equation to the chemicals in your reaction. Products go on top and reactants go on the bottem.
2- Plug in the given molarities for the chemicals.
3- Solve for K, which is your equilibrium constant.
Note- The equation can also be done when you are given a K and a molarity asked to find the concentrations of the other chemicals. The same process of pulgging in and solving for the unknown applies.