Name:___________________

Physical Model of Equilibrium Lab

Purpose: To observe a physical model which approximates the behaviour of a

chemical equilibrium.

Materials/Apparatus:

two 50-mL Graduated Cylinders

two glass tubes, of different diameters
marker or labels
ruler

Procedure:

Part A

1. Label one graduated cylinder A. Pour approximately 30 mL water into it.

Label the second cylinder B.
2. Measure the height of the column of water in graduated cylinder A.
3. Insert the larger-diameter tube into tube A, cover the upper end with your
finger, lift it out of A and allow the water to drop into graduated cylinder B.
That transfer of water models the A reacting to form B.
4. Put the larger-diameter tube back into A and repeat step 3. At the same
time, put the narrow-diameter tube into B and use it to transfer water into A.
This models the reverse reaction happening. Make sure that each of the glass
tubes is lowered right to the bottom of the graduated cylinders.
5. After ten sets of transfers, measure the heights of both columns of water.
6. Continue transferring water from A to B using the wide tube and B to A using
the narrow tube, stopping to measure and record the heights every ten
transfers until it is apparent that there is no further need to continue. When
you think there is no further need to continue, explain your reasoning to the
teacher who will either agree with you or send you back to make more
transfers.
7. Draw graphs of height vs number of transfers for both cylinders. Put both
graphs on the same set of axes.

Part B

1. Leaving the water already in the graduated cylinders in place, add approximately
20 mL of water to A. Measure the heights.

2. Is the system in equilibrium now? Repeat steps 4 through 6. Add the additional
transfer data to your graph
 Name:___________________

Questions:

Part A

1. Why did you make the initial transfer from A to B without making one from B to
A?

2. In the first five to ten transfers, how did the rate of transfer from A to B compare
to the rate of transfer from B to A?

3. What gradually happened to the rate of transfer from A to B?

4. What gradually happened to the rate of transfer from B to A?

5. What eventually happened to the rates?

6. What was the consequence of this?

7. Assuming no spillage, would it have ever been possible to transfer all of the
contents of A to B?

Part B

8. What effect did adding water to A (in part B) have on the equilibrium?

9. What was the difference in heights when the water was initially added?

10. What happened to the difference in heights?

11. State LeChateliers Principle. Relate what happened in Part B to Le Chateliers

Principle.
 Name:___________________

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