Chapter 19, Problem 19.51QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

It should be described the use of a radioactive iodine isotope to demonstrate the given chemical process is in dynamic equilibrium.

Concept Introduction:

A chemical process is called in dynamic equilibrium if the chemical process does not stop at equilibrium.  That is the reaction still occurring after attaining the equilibrium state. It can be confirmed whether the process is in dynamic equilibrium or not by using isotopic tracers.  This experiment can be done as follows,

1. 1. Firstly, the reaction should be allowed to attain the equilibrium state.
2. 2. It should be added the small amount of the reactants, tagged with an isotope to the equilibrium mixture.
3. 3. If the equilibrium is dynamic, isotopic tracer can be found in the both reactant and product molecules.

To describe: The use of a radioactive iodine isotope to demonstrate the given chemical process is in dynamic equilibrium