Equilibria

Specification points

Equilibria

Understand that reversible reactions:

• can be reversed by changing the reaction conditions
• water is removed when a hydrated salt is gently heated
• a hydrated salt is formed when water is added back to a dehydrated salt
Understand more about reversible reactions:
• the concept of equilibrium
• increase in pressure on a reversible reaction pushes the equilibrium in favour of the
side of the equation with the lower volume of gas
• for an endothermic reaction, increase in temperature increases the products
• for an exothermic reaction, increase in temperature increases the reactants
Describe the importance of ammonia and ammonium compounds:
• ammonia is released when ammonium salts are heated with sodium hydroxide
• fertilizers add nitrogen back to the soil which has been removed by plants
• fertilizers often contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
Describe the manufacture of ammonia by the Haber Process:
• the hydrogen comes from petroleum hydrocarbons or steam
• the nitrogen comes from the air
• the essential conditions for the process

Independent Study suggestions

1. Look at the specification points above – use the textbook pages (124-127, 224-229 ) or the revision
guide pages (73-76) to make a few notes/spider diagram/revision cards
2. Have a go at the questions in the revision guide on pages77 and mark yourself – answers in the back

3. Watch the Fuse School short 3-4 minute explanation videos in the
 Reversible reactions: https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/67/contents/372
 Le Chatelier part 1: https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/67/contents/401
 Le Chatelier part 2: https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/67/contents/400
 Dynamic Equilibria: https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/67/contents/399
 Haber Process https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/67/contents/875
 Haber Process and uses of ammonia: https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/67/contents/411
 Further Haber: https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/67/contents/876
 Sulfur chemistry: https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/65/contents/1379
 Sulphuric acid manufacture: https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/67/contents/374

4. Have a go at the equilibria quizzes https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/106

5. Can you answer this question? Sulphuric acid is made when oleum is added to water in a highly
exothermic reaction. Describe how oleum is made from sulfur via the contact process. Give
equations and conditions. [6 marks]
Answer
6. Can you answer this questions? Plant growth is improved by the availability of essential elements,
such as nitrogen, and by the soil having a suitable pH. Nitrogen based fertilisers are made from
ammonia. Ammonia is manufactured by the Haber Process – describe the Haber process giving
reaction conditions and a balanced equation (do not discuss reaction rate and yield [5 marks]

Answer (a) (i) pressure 150–300 atmospheres / atm (1), temperature accept in range 370 to 470 °C (1),
iron (catalyst) (1), balanced equation N2 + 3H2 NH3 (1), equilibrium / reversible (1)