An industrial process involves the reversible reaction:
J(g) ⇌ K(g)
A section of pipe is isolated so that no substances can enter or leave. Sensors record the concentrations and reaction rates.
| Time / s | Concentration of J / mol dm⁻³ | Concentration of K / mol dm⁻³ | Forward reaction rate / mol dm⁻³ s⁻¹ | Reverse reaction rate / mol dm⁻³ s⁻¹ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 0.52 | 0.28 | 0.014 | 0.014 |
| 60 | 0.52 | 0.28 | 0.014 | 0.014 |
After 60 s, a membrane outlet is opened. The membrane allows K to escape but does not allow J to escape.
Use the data to explain why the mixture has reached dynamic equilibrium by 40 s.
After some K has escaped, predict how the forward and reverse reaction rates compare. Explain your answer.
124 exam-style questions on OCR GCSE Chemistry 5.3 Equilibria, covering 5.3.1 Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium and 5.3.2 Changing the position of equilibrium. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.