IGCSE EQUILIBRIUM QUESTIONS I

1 State what is meant by the term reversible reaction. [1]

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2 The equation below show a reversible reaction:
CuSO4.5H2O…….  CuSO4…… + 5H2O……
(a) Complete the equation by inserting state symbols. [1]
(b) State the full names and colours of: [4]
NAME COLOUR
CuSO4.5H2O …………………………………………………. …………………………

CuSO4 …………………………………………………. …………………………

3 When ammonium chloride is
heated in a boiling tube a
reversible reaction occurs.
(a) State the formula of
ammonium chloride. [1]

………………………….
(b) Complete the diagram by
stating the names and
physical states (solid/
liquid/gas) of the species
present in the places
marked by the arrows. [4]

(c) Write an equation for the

reversible reaction that
occurs in the boiling tube. [2]

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(d) The reactions that occur in the boiling tube can be described as thermal decomposition
and neutralisation. Explain each of these terms with reference to the reactions
occurring. [2]
Thermal decomposition......................................................................................................................

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Neutralisation………….......................................................................................................................

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4 A reversible reaction will eventually come to a state of dynamic equilibrium. Explain what is
meant by dynamic equilibrium. [2]
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 IGCSE EQUILIBRIUM QUESTIONS I
5 The decomposition of calcium carbonate is a reversible reaction:
CaCO3(s)  CaO(s) + CO2(g)
Some calcium carbonate is heated in an evaporating
basin. Explain why it does not reach a state of
equilibrium. [2]

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6 For each of the following reactions state whether the position of equilibrium shifts to the left
or to the right when the pressure is increased:

(a) Q(g) + 2X(g)  Z(g) + D(g) ……………………………………………………..

(b) Z(g) + X(g)  2R(g) + 3L(g) ……………………………………………………..

7 The decomposition of dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) is reversible. N2O4 is a colourless gas and
NO2 is a brown gas.
N2O4(g)  2NO2(g) H = +58 kJ mol-1
colourless brown
Some N2O4 is placed in a closed container at 25 oC and allowed to come to equilibrium.
Deduce how the appearance of the mixture will change if:
(a) the volume of the container is increased at constant temperature and the mixture is
allowed to come to equilibrium again [1]

The reaction mixture becomes browner / less brown

(delete as appropriate)

(b) the temperature is increased at constant pressure and the mixture is allowed to come to
equilibrium again [1]
The reaction mixture becomes browner / less brown
(delete as appropriate)

8 When sulfur dioxide and oxygen are placed in a closed container with a catalyst at a
pressure of 200 kPa and a temperature of 450 oC a reversible reaction occurs:
2SO2(g) + O2(g)  2SO3(g) H=-198 kJ/mol
Explain how the time taken to reach equilibrium and the amount of SO3 present at
equilibrium would be affected by removing the catalyst. [3]

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