What is meant by a stress on a reaction at equilibrium?

Answer 1

There are three 'Stress Factors' that affect the stability of an equilibrium:
1. Concentration Effects
2. Temperature Effects
3. Pressure-Volume Effects

Kinda long, but I had JPEGs in my files => Don't mind sharing.

A system (Reaction) at equilibrium is producing products as fast as it is producing reactants. This is known as the Law of Mass Action. That is ...

Rate of forward reaction = Rate of reverse reaction

When this condition exists, the reaction system is said to be in a 'stable' Dynamic Equilibrium'. While the concentrations of reactants and products appear to be constant, the chemical or physical process is still taking place.

To visualize this, think of the equilibrium process as being balanced on a See-Saw. Such as ...
Concept Check:
Consider the Rxn:
#FeO(s)# + #CO(g)# #-># #Fe^o(s)#+#CO_2(g)#
Stress Factor => Removing #CO(g)# (lighter reactant side) => Right tilt => Rxn Shifts Left to to establish new equilibrium.

Consider the Rxn:
#COCl_2(g) -> CO(g) + Cl_2(g)#
Stress Factor => Adding #Cl_2(g)# into the equilibrium mixture => (heavier product side) => Rxn balance tilts right => Rxn Shifts Left to to establish new equilibrium.

Stress Factor => removing #Cl_2(g)# from the from the equilibrium mixture => (Lighter Product Side) => Rxn balance would tilt Left => Rxn Shifts Right to establish new equilibrium.

Consider Temperature Effects:

Concept Check:
Consider the reaction:
#CO(g)# + #2H_2(g)# -> #CH_3OH(G)# + 21.7Kj
Stress Factor => Cooling rxn environment => product side is lighter => Rxn balance would tilt left => Rxn Shifts Right to establish new equilibrium.

Consider the reaction:
#2H_2O# + 484Kj -> #2H_2(g)#+#O_2(g)#
To increase decomposition => Stress Factor => Increase temperature around reaction environment => Rxn balance would tilt left => Rxn Shifts Right to establish new equilibrium.

Consider Pressure-Volume Effects:
]

#CH_4(g)#+#2O_2(g)# -> #CO_2(g)#+#2H_2O(l)# => Shifts Right (P-V Effects apply to gas phase components only)

Same Rxn but note => all gas phase components.
#CH_4(g)#+#2O_2(g)# -> #CO_2(g)#+#2H_2O(g)# => No Shift Occurs
#sum(V_m)(Reactants)# = #sum(V_m)(Products)#

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Answer 2

When stress is applied to a reaction at equilibrium, it disrupts the balance between the reactants and products, causing the system to shift in order to relieve the stress and re-establish equilibrium. This stress can be in the form of changes in temperature, pressure, or concentration of reactants or products.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

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