Equilibrium

​Most chemical reactions can go forward or reverse (like your car)

Chemistry | Equilibrium

Hopefully equilibrium doesn't "stress" you out

​The second reaction was the "reverse" of the first one.

NaCl + KI -> NaI + KCl​

NaI + KCl -> NaCl + KI

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NaCl + KCl <==> NaI + KCl​

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Forward and reverse arrows (<==>) means the reaction is reversible​

Chemistry | Equilibrium

Forward and reverse depend on what you designate as your reactants

​Equilibrium in the chemical industry is no bueno (usually)

Generally speaking you're trying to make products (to make money) so you have to find ways to "mess with" the reaction so that making products is favorable over having the products break back down into the reactants.

Chemistry | Equilibrium

​Because who doesn't want to make money after all?

"Messing with" a reaction is putting stress on the system in order to disrupt the equilibrium

When stress is put on a system at equilibrium, the system will shift to relieve the stress and try to re-establish equilibrium.​

Chemistry | Equilibrium

​Like when you shut yourself in your room because your parents are driving you nuts

​First look at the phase(s) of the reaction

1. Pressure will have NO impact on an aqueous system (liquids can't be compressed).

2. Pressure WILL have an impact on gaseous systems (Remember all those gas laws?)​

​For some people, stress makes them more "gaseous"

​For all phases (aqueous, gaseous, or a combination of the two):

1. Changes in c​oncentrations of reactants and/or products will have an impact

2. Changes in temperature of the system will have an impact​

Changes in volume will result in changes of concentration

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Reactions require species to "run into each other" in a specific orientation at sufficient speed. Anything that can increase or reduce either of those will shift the equilibrium.​

Remember the two people where one of them got the arm of the other one stuck to his face?

​You guessed it! MATH!

​Mr. Stanberry will be so proud!