LAB 15: THE EQUILIBRIUM OF K2Cr2O7 AND K2CrO4

2 CrO42-(aq) + 2 H+ (aq)
H2O (l)

Cr2O72-(aq) +

All solutions of K2Cr2O7(aq) contain small amounts of the CrO4-2 ion with which it
exists in equilibrium. Likewise a solution of K2CrO4(aq) contains small quantities of ions
of Cr2O7-2 in an equilibrium. The above reaction summarizes this equilibrium and some
factors that can influence it. In this lab you will be given 2 solutions in which either ion
predominates at the equilibrium point. You will stress the system by adding H+ ions (from
HCl) or removing H+ ions ( by reacting with NaOH). You can follow the equilibrium by
the color of the solution, yellow indicates the CrO4-2(aq) ion, which dissociates from
K2CrO4(aq) while orange indicates the Cr2O7-2 (aq), which dissociates from the
K2Cr2O7(aq) salt. Please note that the water liquid does not influence the equilibrium as it
is the solvent and considered to be a constant. Remember that liquids and solids do not
affect equilibrium.
MATERIALS:
reaction microplate,
5 micropipettes,
K2Cr2O7(aq)-is orange in color,
K2CrO4(aq)- is yellow in color,
NaOH(aq),
HCl(aq)

PROCEDURE#1:
In this study you will add progressively more NaOH to system, this will neutralize
the H+ effectively removing it from the system. The system will reverse direction (shifting
the equilibrium to the left) to replace the hydrogen ions. Predict the color change of the
reaction.
1) NaOH and K2Cr2O7(aq) Study. Using a micropipette to dispense each solution,
mix the reagents as indicated in the table below in the small wells of a microplate.
Reagent
NaOH(aq)
H2O
K2Cr2O7(aq

Well 1
0
5
5 drops

Well 2
1
4
5

Well 3
2
3
5

Well 4
3
2
5

Well 5
4
1
5

Well 6
5
0
5

PROCEDURE#2:
In this study you will add progressively more HCl to the system.This will add H+,
the system will try to consume by shifting the equilibrium to the right. As the reaction
goes forward, some of the added hydrogen will be consumed.
which

2) HCl and K2Cr2O7(aq) Study. Using a micropipette to dispense each solution,

mix the reagents as indicated in the table below in the small wells of a microplate
Reagent
HCl
H2O
K2Cr2O7(aq

Well 1
0
5
5 drops

Well 2
1
4
5

Well 3
2
3
5

Well 4
3
2
5

Well 5
4
1
5

Well 6
5
0
5

PROCEDURE#3:
In this study you will add progressively more NaOH to the system. This will
remove H+ which the system will try to consume by shifting the equilibrium to the right.
As the reaction goes forward, some of the added hydrogen will be consumed.
2) NaOH and K2CrO4(aq) Study. Using a micropipette to dispense each solution,
mix the reagents as indicated in the table below in the small wells of a microplate
Reagent
NaOH(aq)
H2O
K2CrO4(aq)

Well 1
0
5
5 drops

Well 2
1
4
5

Well 3
2
3
5

Well 4
3
2
5

Well 5
4
1
5

Well 6
5
0
5

PROCEDURE#4:
In this study you will add progressively more HCl to the system. This will add H+
which the system will try to consume by shifting the equilibrium to the right. As the
reaction goes forward, some of the added hydrogen will be consumed.
2) HCl and K2CrO4(aq) Study. Using a micropipette to dispense each solution, mix
the reagents as indicated in the table below in the small wells of a microplate
Reagent
HCl
H2O
K2CrO4(aq)

Well 1
0
5
5 drops

Well 2
1
4
5

Well 3
2
3
5

Well 4
3
2
5

Well 5
4
1
5

Well 6
5
0
5

PROCEDURE#5:
To 5 ml each of BOTH solutions, slowly add small amounts of BaNO3, which will
dissociate and put Ba+2(aq) into the solution. Observe what happens HINT consult table
F.
.

SIMMULATION
OF A K2Cr2O7
SOLUTION

SIMMULATION
OF A K2CrO4
SOLUTION