College Board · AP Chemistry

AP Chemistry: Equilibrium — Practice Questions & Answers

Dynamic equilibrium, Q vs K, Kc and Kp, ICE tables, Le Chatelier's principle, Ksp, and the common-ion and pH effects on solubility.

542 practice questions available for this unit — here are 10 with full answers and explanations.

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Practice questions with answers

1 Multiple choice · Easy

Which statement best describes a system at dynamic equilibrium?

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WhyAt dynamic equilibrium the forward and reverse reactions continue at equal rates, so concentrations of reactants and products stay constant over time.
2 Multiple choice · Easy

For the reaction N2(g) + 3 H2(g) <=> 2 NH3(g), what is the correct expression for Kc?

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WhyKc places product concentrations over reactant concentrations, each raised to its stoichiometric coefficient: [NH3]^2 / ([N2][H2]^3).
3 Multiple choice · Easy

A reaction has a very large equilibrium constant (K >> 1). This indicates that at equilibrium the system contains:

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WhyA large K means the numerator (products) greatly exceeds the denominator (reactants), so products are strongly favored at equilibrium.
4 Multiple choice · Easy

According to Le Chatelier's principle, adding more reactant to a system at equilibrium will cause the equilibrium to shift:

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WhyAdding reactant increases its concentration, so the system shifts toward the products to consume the added reactant and re-establish equilibrium.
5 Fill in the blank · Easy

The equilibrium constant expressed in terms of partial pressures of gases is given the symbol .

Answer: Kp

WhyKp is the equilibrium constant written using partial pressures of gaseous species instead of molar concentrations.
6 Fill in the blank · Easy

For a solid dissolving in water such as AgCl(s) <=> Ag+(aq) + Cl-(aq), the equilibrium constant for dissolution is called the solubility product constant, symbol .

Answer: Ksp

WhyKsp is the solubility product constant, the equilibrium constant for a slightly soluble salt dissolving into its ions.
7 Multiple choice · Medium

For the reaction 2 SO2(g) + O2(g) <=> 2 SO3(g), the reaction quotient Q is found to be greater than K. Which way will the reaction proceed to reach equilibrium?

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WhyWhen Q > K there are too many products relative to equilibrium, so the net reaction proceeds in the reverse direction toward reactants.
8 Multiple choice · Medium

For the equilibrium H2(g) + I2(g) <=> 2 HI(g), the equilibrium concentrations are [H2] = 0.20 M, [I2] = 0.20 M, and [HI] = 1.6 M. What is the value of Kc?

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WhyKc = [HI]^2 / ([H2][I2]) = (1.6)^2 / (0.20 x 0.20) = 2.56 / 0.040 = 64.
9 Multiple choice · Medium

For the reaction CaCO3(s) <=> CaO(s) + CO2(g), which species appears in the Kp expression?

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WhyPure solids are omitted from equilibrium expressions, so only the gas CO2 appears: Kp = P(CO2).
10 Multiple choice · Medium

For an exothermic reaction at equilibrium, increasing the temperature will:

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WhyFor an exothermic reaction heat is a product; adding heat shifts equilibrium toward reactants, decreasing the value of K.

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Key terms in Equilibrium

Chemical equilibrium: The state in which the forward and reverse reaction rates are equal, so the concentrations of reactants and products no longer change over time.
Dynamic equilibrium: An equilibrium in which both forward and reverse reactions continue at equal rates rather than stopping, keeping macroscopic concentrations constant.
Reversible reaction: A reaction that can proceed in both the forward and reverse directions, written with a double arrow (<=>).
Forward reaction: The conversion of reactants into products as written from left to right in a chemical equation.
Reverse reaction: The conversion of products back into reactants, proceeding from right to left.
Equilibrium constant (K): A number expressing the ratio of product to reactant activities at equilibrium, each raised to its stoichiometric coefficient.
Law of mass action: The principle that the equilibrium expression is the product concentrations over the reactant concentrations, each raised to its coefficient.
Equilibrium expression: The mathematical formula relating reactant and product amounts that equals K at equilibrium.

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