Equilibrium Examples SCH4U LG5

Purpose: To observe and investigate three examples of equilibrium

reactions.
Assessment:
For each example, write down detailed observations and the balanced net
ionic equation for the chemical equilibrium.
Then either verbally or in written format inform your teacher how each
experiment shows Le Chteliers Principle. Use the words disturbance
and shift in each explanation.
Note that the participants have been listed for you and will go on the left
or right of the equation as appropriate.Spectator ions have not been listed
because you do not need to include them in a net ionic equation
Experiment 1. The effect of hydrogen and hydroxide ions on a bromine
solution.
To be done in the fume cupboard.
Place 15 mL of bromine water in a small beaker. Record the colour. Add 5
drop portions of 2 mol/L sodium hydroxide, stirring after each addition,
until no further colour change occurs. Record the colour after each
addition. Similarly add 5 drop portions of 2 mol/L sulfuric acid until no
further colour change occurs. Try to reach an intermediate between
strongly basic and strongly acidic solutions by adding sodium hydroxide or
sulfuric acid dropwise. What is this final colour?

6 NaOH + 3 Br2 <---> NaBrO3 + 5NaBr + 3H2O + heat

Bromine Water: Brownish-Amber, translucent, liquid
Sodium Hydroxide: Clear, colorless, liquid.

Solution: The final color is an amber solution.

Participants are: Br2(aq) (orange), Br EQ \s(1-,(aq)) , H EQ EQ

\s(1+,(aq)) , OBr EQ \s(1-,(aq)) , OH EQ \s(1-,(aq))
Experiment 2. The effect of chloride ions and temperature on cobalt (II)
chloride solution.

Place 30 mL of cobalt (II) chloride solution in a 150 mL beaker. In the

fume hood, add concentrated (12M)hydrochloric acid slowly until the
solution turns from pink to purplish blue. Divide the solution into three
beakers the rest of the lab may be done at your bench.
Place one beaker on a hot plate and heat gently. (Do not boil).
Place one beaker in an ice bath for about 5 min.
Leave the other at room temperature.
Participants are: Cl EQ \s(1-,(aq)) , [CoCl4] EQ \s(2-,(aq)) (blue),
[Co(H2O)6] EQ \s(2+,(aq)) (pink), H2O(l)

CoCl42- + heat (aq) <--> Co + 4Cl

Cobalt Chloride: Pink

Solution: Sky blue, transluscent liquid.

This is an endothermic reaction because heat needs to be added to the product in
order for a reaction to occur.

After writing the equation, label it as exothermic or endothermic as

written.
Experiment 3. The formation of the copper tetramine(II) ion.
(Do this in a fume hood and stir or shake during the additions)
Half fill two test tubes with copper (II) sulfate solution. Add 6 mol/L
ammonia just until a pale blue precipitate forms.
Keep the first test tube as a control, these are your reactants from which
your equilibrium will start.
To the second add a few drops of 6 mol/L ammonia and gently mix (a
stopper may be useful) until no further change occurs.
Now slowly add drops of concentrated (12M) hydrochloric acid and gently
mix until the precipitate reforms.
Record all colour changes as they occur
Participants are: Cu(NH3) EQ \s(2+,4(aq)) , Cu(OH)2(s), OH1-(aq), NH EQ
\s(1+,4(aq)) , H1+(aq), H2O(l) . HINT:aqueous ammonia is equivalent to
NH4OH

Test Tube 1) Color changed from blue to light blue precipitate.

CuSO4+ 2NH4OH ---> (NH4)2SO4+ Cu(OH)2
Test Tube 2) After Ammonia was added to the copper solution precipitate formed, when the HCL was
added the precipitate disappeared.

Relations to equilibrium
Experiment 1:
Firstly, Le Chatalier's principle suggest that if there is an excess amount of product, then the equilibrium
would shift left to utilize its reactants. This was shown when there was a disturbance in the chemical
solution when the reactants were added, they constantly condensed than evaporated with a final color
of amber. The initial color of the bromine water.
Experiment 2: Firstly, Le Chatalier's principle indicates that a disturbance in a chemical reaction resulting
in excess reactant will cause the product to shift right, in order to use the reactant. This was displayed
when the hydrochloric acid was added to the solution. Initially the solution was pink, when the
hydrochloric acid was added it caused the solution to become blue. Moreover after a period of time,
equilibrium shifted to cause the solution to become pink again.
Experiment 3:
Within this experiment the equilibrium shifts multiple times due to the multiple disturbances that
occurred. When the ammonia was added(reacted) to the copper solution there was a precipitate that
was formed. Moreover as the HCL was added the precipitate disappeared. This is because when the HCL
was added it caused the equilibrium to shift to the left and used the excess precipitate in the chemical
reaction.