Textbook problem 5G.5

[Jenny Chau 1I]

Is flask 3 and flask 4 supposed to contain the same amount of X2 and X?

[Lilyana Villa 3L]

Yes I believe so! It would make sense that both of those flasks would have the same amount of X and X2 since flask 3 represents the point equilibrium was reached. Once equilibrium is reached, the concentrations of the product and reactant don't change over time, so flask 4 should be the same as flask 3.

[Jenny Chau 1I]

Yes I believe so! It would make sense that both of those flasks would have the same amount of X and X2 since flask 3 represents the point equilibrium was reached. Once equilibrium is reached, the concentrations of the product and reactant don't change over time, so flask 4 should be the same as flask 3.

I didn't realize the flasks represented the change over time. I thought they were separate from one another. Thanks for clarifying!

[Peter DePaul 1E]

Flasks 3 and 4 are at equilibrium so their compositions should be the same

[Ayesha Aslam-Mir 3C]

Just wanted to clarify that at equilibrium the concentrations/pressures are "unchanged" only because the forward and backwards reactions are happening at the same rate, not because the reaction is no longer happening.

[OliviaCaesar_1E]

Just wanted to clarify that at equilibrium the concentrations/pressures are "unchanged" only because the forward and backwards reactions are happening at the same rate, not because the reaction is no longer happening.

That is correct. The reactions are still occurring but at the same rate so the concentrations of the reactants and the products do not change. If the flask diagram was to continue to 5,6 and beyond then the concentrations would still be the same because equilibrium has been reached.