Equilibrium Position: How Water Affects System

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SUMMARY

The addition of water to the equilibrium system involving Co^2+(aq) and Cl^-(aq) affects the equilibrium position by decreasing the concentration of reactants, thus lowering the reaction quotient (Q) compared to the equilibrium constant (K). This dilution favors the forward reaction, shifting the equilibrium to the right, as per Le Chatelier's principle. However, the dilution also increases the degree of dissociation of the complex, leading to a more significant backward reaction rate decrease. According to Ostwald's law, the degree of dissociation increases with dilution, further influencing the system's dynamics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of chemical equilibrium concepts
  • Familiarity with reaction quotients (Q) and equilibrium constants (K)
  • Knowledge of Le Chatelier's principle
  • Basic grasp of Ostwald's law of dilution
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of chemical equilibrium in detail
  • Learn how to calculate reaction quotients (Q) and equilibrium constants (K) in various scenarios
  • Research the effects of dilution on reaction rates and equilibrium positions
  • Explore Ostwald's law and its applications in chemical systems
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nicolauslamsiu
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I want to ask how will the equilibrium position of the system change if water is added to the system?
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Co^2+(aq.) + 4cl^-1(aq.) =cocl4^2-(aq.)
 
The concentration will decrease because the volume will increase. This will make Q lower than the K value so the forward reaction should be favored(shifts right)
 
Will the value of Q become smaller the K if the concentration is lower?
 
*become greater
 
Can you rephrase your question, I'm not sure I understand.
 
AlphaEmission said:
The concentration will decrease because the volume will increase. This will make Q lower than the K value so the forward reaction should be favored(shifts right)

Quite the opposite, the more diluted the solution, the more dissociated the complex is.
 
By adding water the rate of the forward reaction decreases X to the power 2 times while the rate of the backward reaction will decrease only X times so the reaction moves backwards
 
Pretend the Keq is 1, and all species' molarity is 1 at the equilibrium. Now do the dilution recalculate Q based on the new concentrations. Compare Q with Keq and reason it out.
 
  • #10
And according to Ostwald's law : degree of dissociation increases by increasing dilution
 

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