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The Determination of an Equilibrium Constant

Experiment #10 from Advanced Chemistry with Vernier

Education Level
High School
College

Introduction

Chemical reactions occur to reach a state of equilibrium. The equilibrium state can be characterized by quantitatively defining its equilibrium constant, Keq. In this experiment, you will determine the value of Keq for the reaction between iron (III) ions and thiocyanate ions, SCN–.

{\text{F}}{{\text{e}}^{{\text{3}} + }}\left( {{\text{aq}}} \right) + {\text{ SC}}{{\text{N}}^-}\left( {{\text{aq}}} \right) \to {\text{FeSC}}{{\text{N}}^{{\text{2}} + }}\left( {{\text{aq}}} \right)

The equilibrium constant, Keq, is defined by the equation shown below.

{K_{eq}} = \frac{{[{\text{FeSC}}{{\text{N}}^{2 + }}]}} {{[{\text{F}}{{\text{e}}^{3 + }}][{\text{SC}}{{\text{N}}^ - }]}}

To find the value of Keq, which depends only upon temperature, it is necessary to determine the molar concentration of each of the three species in solution at equilibrium. You will determine the concentration by measuring light that passes through a sample of the equilibrium mixtures. The amount of light absorbed by a colored solution is proportional to its concentration. The red FeSCN2+ solution absorbs blue light, thus the Colorimeter users will be instructed to use the 470 nm (blue) LED. Spectrometer users will determine an appropriate wavelength based on the absorbance spectrum of the solution.

Objectives

In this experiment, you will

  • Prepare and test standard solutions of FeSCN2+ in equilibrium.
  • Test solutions of SCN− of unknown molar concentration.
  • Determine the molar concentrations of the ions present in an equilibrium system.
  • Determine the value of the equilibrium constant, Keq, for the reaction.

Sensors and Equipment

This experiment features the following sensors and equipment. Additional equipment may be required.

Option 1

Go Direct® SpectroVis® Plus Spectrophotometer

Option 2

Go Direct® Colorimeter

Option 3

Colorimeter

Option 4

Go Direct® Visible Spectrophotometer

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This experiment is #10 of Advanced Chemistry with Vernier. The experiment in the book includes student instructions as well as instructor information for set up, helpful hints, and sample graphs and data.

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