An increase in products will increase the rate of decomposition of the products until a new equilibrium is reached.

Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
icon
Related questions
Question
**Understanding Chemical Equilibrium**

---

**Question:**

An increase in products will increase the rate of decomposition of the products until a new equilibrium is reached.

   ☐ True
   ☐ False

---

**Explanation:**

In a chemical reaction at equilibrium, the rate of the forward reaction (the formation of products) is equal to the rate of the reverse reaction (the decomposition of products back into reactants). This concept is central to the principle of dynamic equilibrium in chemical reactions.

**Detailed Explanation:**

If the concentration of the products is increased, the system will respond by shifting the equilibrium to favor the reverse reaction to reduce the stress caused by the concentration change. This is explained by Le Chatelier's Principle, which states that a system at equilibrium will adjust to counteract any change imposed on it.

**Graphical Representation:**

While the provided content does not include a graph or diagram, a typical representation might include a graph showing the rates of the forward and reverse reactions. Initially, both rates are equal. Upon increasing the product concentration, the rate of the reverse reaction increases, while the rate of the forward reaction remains constant. The new equilibrium is reached where the rates of both reactions are equal again, but at different concentrations of reactants and products.

**Example:**

Consider the reaction \( A + B \leftrightarrow C + D \). If more \( C \) and \( D \) are added to the system at equilibrium, the reverse reaction \( C + D \rightarrow A + B \) will increase, shifting the equilibrium position to the left until a new balance is established.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is: 

☑️ True
Transcribed Image Text:**Understanding Chemical Equilibrium** --- **Question:** An increase in products will increase the rate of decomposition of the products until a new equilibrium is reached. ☐ True ☐ False --- **Explanation:** In a chemical reaction at equilibrium, the rate of the forward reaction (the formation of products) is equal to the rate of the reverse reaction (the decomposition of products back into reactants). This concept is central to the principle of dynamic equilibrium in chemical reactions. **Detailed Explanation:** If the concentration of the products is increased, the system will respond by shifting the equilibrium to favor the reverse reaction to reduce the stress caused by the concentration change. This is explained by Le Chatelier's Principle, which states that a system at equilibrium will adjust to counteract any change imposed on it. **Graphical Representation:** While the provided content does not include a graph or diagram, a typical representation might include a graph showing the rates of the forward and reverse reactions. Initially, both rates are equal. Upon increasing the product concentration, the rate of the reverse reaction increases, while the rate of the forward reaction remains constant. The new equilibrium is reached where the rates of both reactions are equal again, but at different concentrations of reactants and products. **Example:** Consider the reaction \( A + B \leftrightarrow C + D \). If more \( C \) and \( D \) are added to the system at equilibrium, the reverse reaction \( C + D \rightarrow A + B \) will increase, shifting the equilibrium position to the left until a new balance is established. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is: ☑️ True
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Chemical Equilibrium
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305957404
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781259911156
Author:
Raymond Chang Dr., Jason Overby Professor
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305577213
Author:
Douglas A. Skoog, F. James Holler, Stanley R. Crouch
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9780078021558
Author:
Janice Gorzynski Smith Dr.
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079373
Author:
William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781118431221
Author:
Richard M. Felder, Ronald W. Rousseau, Lisa G. Bullard
Publisher:
WILEY