In class last Monday, we did a Metacognitive lab on equilibrium, that look a little something like this.
This showed us that when we add more on one side, the other side increases as well. The graph that would represent these changes would look like this:
Additionally, we spent time on Friday looking at a real experiment with NO2 and N2O4. The NO2 is a brown gas. In this experiment, we saw that adding pressure (or decreasing volume) shifts the equilibrium so that there are less molecules, in this case, more N2O4. When pressure is released, more NO2 forms. So, in our experiment, we saw that adding pressure instantly makes the gas darker, but becomes lighter because more N2O4 is being formed. When the pressure decreases, the gas instantly becomes lighter, but soon turns darker because more NO2 is being formed.
In addition to these experiments/metacognitive logs, we worked on three worksheets, Equilibrium 1, 2, and 3. These helped us with the equilibrium constant expressions, how to figure out the constants for different reactions, which way equilibrium shifts, etc.
Main Ideas
I think I'm beginning to understand the concepts. It was difficult at first because I didn't understand what it meant to shift to the product/reactant side, or under what conditions it shifted. I think the ConcepTests really help me because I'm able to think about the question and get immediate results. That way, I can fix my misunderstandings in class, rather than having to think about it, answer the question, think about whether I would get it right or wrong, and then checking back on moodle for answers. I also like taking notes on demos like the two we did this week. To see it visually really helps me understand what's going on. After I work on the equilibrium worksheets, I feel pretty confident with mastering the material :)
