Activity

Summary

In this activity, students will investigate how temperature, activation energy, initial amounts of products and reactants, and type of reaction (exo- or endothermic) effect the equilibrium position of a reaction using a simulation.

Grade Level

High school

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to

• See how temperature affects the value of equilibrium constants for endothermic and exothermic reactions.
• See how activation energy affects.

Chemistry Topics

This lesson supports students’ understanding of

• Thermodynamics
• Equilibrium
• Equilibrium constant
• Activation energy

Time

Teacher Preparation: 10 minutes

Lesson: one class period

Materials

For each group:

•  Computer with access to the internet

Safety

No safety precautions need to be observed during this activity.

Teacher Notes

• This lesson is used to reinforce how the concepts of equilibrium and thermodynamics are connected to one another.
• Have students visit: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/reversible-reactions

Downloads

• Teacher Guide.doc
  
• Teacher Guide.pdf
• Student Activity.doc
  
• Student Activity.pdf
  

Submitted by
Michael Miehl
Sherwood High School
Sandy Spring, Maryland

Thanks to
Ward’s Science

For the Student

Lesson

Complete the following table using the simulator.

Determine whether you want to test an exo- or endothermic reaction. Change the E_a and T, one variable at a time, keeping the other variables constant.

1. How does changing E_a affect the reaction? Explain.
2. How do changes in T affect the value of K?
3. Is the reaction A → B endothermic or exothermic? Explain.
4. How do you know when equilibrium is established?
5. Describe the conditions of a reversible reaction you conduct using the simulator.  How do you know it is reversible?

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