Question

If iron(III) thiocyanate at equilibrium is added to a test tube and put into a cold water bath and hot water bath is the reaction reversible?

Is the reaction reversible in the cold water bath?

Is the reaction reversible in the hot water bath?

Answer 1

First, let us state the Le Chatelier principle which deals with changes in an equilibrium:

The statement is as follows:

If any equilibrium is disturbed, that is, change in conditions such as P,T, concentration, partial pressure, etc.., the system will counterbalance such change in order to favour the system's equilbirium.

• Change in concentration
• Change in pressure
• Change in temperature

The reaction we are analysing:

Fe3+ + SCN- <--> FeSCN2+ + heat

which states this is EXOthermic, since it releases heat

then,

if we do this in a cold bath, we favour heat loss, which makes the shift towards the RIGHT

therefore, avoid cold water bath if you need reverse reaction

the best option to favour reversible is at hot bath

since more heat will favour shift to the left ( reverse)

then

choose hotwater