Equilibrium the ultimate conversion

[member 392791]

Hello,

I am wondering conceptually why the maximum conversion of products is made at chemical equilibrium? I was thinking if you use le chatelier to push towards products, the conversion will be higher.

Sorry if this sounds too vague, my prof's lecture was called "Equilibrium: The ultimate conversion''

 

[UltrafastPED]

Le Chatelier reaches a new equilibrium ... so the result still holds.

 

[member 392791]

Didn't think about that, thank you. But can't you be past equilibrium, and during that time beyond equilibrium, the conversion is higher?

 

[UltrafastPED]

But what happens under le Chatelier? The principle is clear: their is a resistance to the change, and this resistance results in a new equilibrium.

Consider an exothermic reaction - there is a certain amount of heat given off. But if we add just a bit more of something and there was no resistance (i.e., le Chatelier fails!) then you would obtain more heat ... and add a bit more, and you get more heat ... seems like it cheats on the first law of thermodynamics!

 

[alphy]

I can provide some insight into why equilibrium is often considered the ultimate conversion in a chemical reaction. Equilibrium is a state in which the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the reverse reaction, resulting in a constant concentration of products and reactants. This means that the reaction is no longer proceeding in a particular direction, but rather both forward and reverse reactions are occurring at equal rates.

In terms of conversion, equilibrium represents the point at which the maximum amount of products has been formed from the reactants. This is because at equilibrium, the concentration of products is at its highest possible value, while the concentration of reactants is at its lowest possible value. Any further shift towards products would result in a decrease in the concentration of products, and any shift towards reactants would result in an increase in the concentration of reactants.

Additionally, using Le Chatelier's principle to push towards products may result in a higher conversion, but it does not guarantee reaching equilibrium. The system may still be in a non-equilibrium state, where the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are not equal. Only at equilibrium do we see the maximum conversion of products.

I hope this helps to clarify the concept of equilibrium and why it is often referred to as the ultimate conversion in a chemical reaction.