Question

when drops of acid are added to pink solution of Co (H2O)6, equilibrium shifts changing color to blue. when same pink solution is heated up, equilibrium also shifts changing to blue. since they both had the same results, why would we say that acid is more effective than temperature at changing color ?

I am confused because they both had the same results?

Answer 1

Hi, adding acid to the solution of pink ion will lead to the following change:

remember, the same change can occur if you heat the solution but heating will not provide extra chloride ions in the solution for a more effective ligand exchange. What I am trying to say is that adding HCl to the solution will introduce more chloride ions to the solution. The reaction is still reversible, but it is better since you have more chloride ions and the higher the concentration of chloride ions the higher the rate of ligand exchange, so you could say that adding HCl is a better way of doing it rather than heating. I hope you get your answer. If you need more information, please do not hesitate to ask.