Modeling Chemical Equilibrium

Kit No. 89

SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES

• Reaction rates depend on the properties of the reacting species
• Models are useful tools for exploring and understanding natural phenomena
• Many chemical reactions reach a state of equilibrium where the rate of production of products is equal to the rate of production of reactants
• The equilibrium constant, Keq, for a chemical reaction describes the relative proportion of each chemical once equilibrium is reached

Students use an innovative LAB-AIDS® model to simulate the simultaneous occurrence of forward and reverse reactions that helps develop the concept of chemical equilibrium and the equilibrium constant (Keq). This mechanical system provides a simple look at dynamic equilibrium and allows students to collect data to use to calculate Keq for several "reactions." They then use their understanding of Keq to calculate the predicted results for other "reactions."