FACTORS AFFECTING CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM

FACTORS AFFECTING CHEMICAL EQUILBRIUM

Chemical equilibrium can be affected by different factors and these factors depending on the condition of the on which chemical reaction take place.

     The following are factors which affect chemical equilibrium.
           1) temperature
           2) pressure
           3) concentration

1. Temperature
        Effect on temperature on chemical equilibrium depends on whether chemical reaction is endothemic or exothermic.

    In endothemic reaction;
Increase in temperature leads the chemical equilibrium to shift from backward to forward direction. This is because increasing temperature in endothemic reaction fever forward direction (more products formation).

    In exothermic reaction;
 Increase in temperature leads the chemical equilibrium to shift from forward direction to backward direction (shift from right to left). Dencrease in temperature leads the chemical equilibrium to shift from backward to forward.

2. Concentration.
     When the concentration reactants increased the direction proceeds in the forward direction to decrease the concentration of reactants untill equilibrium is mantained.
 
     When the concentration of products is increase, the reaction proceeds in the reverse direction ( backwards direction) to decrease the concentration of reactants untill equilibrium is mantained.

 3. Pressure
        Pressure affects the equilibrium of reversible reactions involving gase.
Increase in pressure cause the chemical equilibrium to shift so as to produce substance occupying less volume or moles.

                                           

 There fore addition of pressure in a system will cause the chemical equilibrium to shift more on the side where there is low volume or moles.