Introduction to Equilibrium
1. Introduction
The Equilibrium Unit is dedicated to a study of chemical equilibrium. In the first part, Systems in Equilibrium, you will investigate the principles of chemical equilibrium. In the second part, Acids and Bases, you will expand upon these principles as you investigate the equilibrium of acid-base systems.
Throughout the Equilibrium Unit you will rely on your skills as an observer, and you will develop skills to predict changes that may occur to equilibrium systems. As you have done in other units in this course, you will also rely on your knowledge of diagnostic tests to check your predictions and to confirm you understanding of principles affecting chemical equilibrium. You will learn to describe and analyze equilibrium systems from a range of perspectives. In addition to qualitative descriptions, you will describe equilibrium systems from a quantitative perspective.
In Systems of Equilibrium, you will use ICE tables and the equilibrium constant, Keq, to describe an equilibrium from a quantitative perspective. You will further apply this understanding in Acids and Bases by using the equilibrium constants for acids and bases, Ka and Kb.
At the end of Equilibrium Unit you will be able to
- explain that there is a balance of opposing reactions in chemical equilibrium systems
- determine quantitative relationships in simple equilibrium systems