Chemical Equilibrium MCQs set 3 for NTS NAT-IM (Medical / Pre-Medical Track) Chemistry — 20 solved questions.
Q1. In a closed vessel, a reversible chemical reaction reaches a state where macroscopic properties like color and pressure remain unchanged. What characterizes this state?
Answer: The rates of forward and reverse reactions become equal
Explanation: Dynamic equilibrium occurs when forward and reverse rates are equal. Option A is wrong because concentrations become constant, not necessarily equal.
Q2. Hydrogen gas reacts with iodine vapors to form hydrogen iodide in a reversible process. What are the units for the equilibrium constant Kc for this reaction?
Answer: No units
Explanation: Kc is unitless when moles of reactants equal moles of products. Option A fails because it assumes units always exist for Kc.
Q3. A mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen is at equilibrium forming ammonia. If helium gas is added at constant volume, what happens to the equilibrium position?
Answer: The equilibrium position remains unchanged
Explanation: Adding inert gas at constant volume does not change partial pressures or concentrations. Option D is wrong because pressure increases without shifting equilibrium.
Q4. In the industrial Haber process, which combination of conditions is strategically used to maximize the percentage yield of ammonia?
Answer: High pressure and continuous removal of ammonia
Explanation: High pressure favors the side with fewer moles (ammonia). Option B is wrong because high temperature shifts exothermic reactions backward, reducing yield.
Q5. Phosphorus pentachloride dissociates into PCl3 and Cl2 at 250 degrees Celsius. Comparing the numerical values of Kp and Kc, which statement is true?
Answer: Kp > Kc
Explanation: Kp = Kc(RT)^delta_n; for PCl5 dissociation, delta_n is +1. Option A is wrong because it ignores the RT factor for gas moles.
Q6. The ionic product of water, Kw, is measured at 40 degrees Celsius. How does this value compare to the standard value at 25 degrees Celsius?
Answer: Greater than 1.0 x 10^-14
Explanation: Water dissociation is endothermic, so Kw increases with temperature. Option A is wrong because 1.0 x 10^-14 is only at 25 degrees.
Q7. During qualitative salt analysis, dilute HCl is added before passing H2S gas to precipitate Group II radicals. What is the chemical purpose of HCl?
Answer: To suppress H2S ionization via common ion effect
Explanation: HCl provides a common ion (H+) that suppresses H2S ionization, allowing only Group II to precipitate. Option C fails because basicity is irrelevant.
Q8. A chemist calculates the reaction quotient Qc for a system and finds it is less than the equilibrium constant Kc. What is the predicted direction?
Answer: The reaction proceeds in the forward direction
Explanation: If Qc < Kc, the reaction proceeds forward to reach equilibrium. Option A is wrong because it describes the reverse shift.
Q9. In the synthesis of sulfur trioxide via the Contact process, finely divided platinum is used. What effect does this catalyst have?
Answer: It increases the rate of both forward and backward reactions
Explanation: Catalysts lower activation energy for both directions equally. Option B is wrong because catalysts do not shift the equilibrium position.
Q10. A laboratory technician needs to prepare a buffer solution to maintain a pH of approximately 4.7. Which pair of chemicals should be selected?
Answer: CH3COOH and CH3COONa
Explanation: An acidic buffer consists of a weak acid and its salt with a strong base. Option A is a strong acid/salt mix.
Q11. If the molar solubility of Lead (II) chloride (PbCl2) is represented by 's', what is the correct expression for its Solubility Product (Ksp)?
Answer: 4s^3
Explanation: Ksp = [Pb][Cl]^2 = (s)(2s)^2 = 4s^3. Option C is wrong because it forgets to square the chloride concentration and the coefficient.
Q12. Which two scientists are credited with formulating the Law of Mass Action, relating the rate of reaction to active masses?
Answer: Guldberg and Waage
Explanation: Guldberg and Waage proposed the Law of Mass Action in 1864. Option A refers to the principle of equilibrium shifts.
Q13. When sodium acetate (CH3COONa) is dissolved in water, the resulting solution is tested with litmus. What is the expected nature of the solution?
Answer: Basic with pH > 7
Explanation: Sodium acetate is a salt of a weak acid and strong base, producing OH- ions. Option B is wrong as it's acidic.
Q14. For a multi-step reversible reaction, how is the equilibrium constant Kc related to the rate constants of the forward and reverse elementary steps?
Answer: The ratio of the forward and backward rate constants
Explanation: Kc is the ratio of rate constants of elementary steps (kf/kr). Option D is wrong because Kc is independent of the path.
Q15. Consider the gas phase equilibrium: N2O4 (colorless) <=> 2NO2 (brown). What happens to the color intensity if the pressure of the system is increased?
Answer: The reaction shifts towards the left (N2O4 side)
Explanation: Increasing pressure shifts equilibrium to the side with fewer moles (N2O4). Option A is wrong because it favors the forward direction.
Q16. A reaction has an equilibrium constant Kc of 10^15. What can be inferred about the extent of this reaction at equilibrium?
Answer: The reaction is almost complete at equilibrium
Explanation: A large Kc (>10^3) indicates the reaction has almost gone to completion. Option A is for very small Kc.
Q17. In an acidic buffer, the concentration of the weak acid and its conjugate salt are made equal. What is the resulting pH?
Answer: The pH will be equal to the pKa of the acid
Explanation: pH = pKa + log([Salt]/[Acid]); if concentrations are equal, pH = pKa. Option A is wrong because pH isn't always 7.
Q18. Under what condition will a precipitate form when two solutions containing ions of a sparingly soluble salt are mixed?
Answer: The ionic product exceeds the solubility product
Explanation: Ionic product (Qi) > Ksp results in precipitation. Option B is wrong because Qi < Ksp means the solution is unsaturated.
Q19. Comparing two acids, Acid X has a Ka of 1.8 x 10^-5 and Acid Y has a Ka of 4.5 x 10^-4. Which statement is correct?
Answer: The acid is stronger and has a lower pKa
Explanation: Stronger acids have larger Ka and smaller pKa values. Option A is wrong because Ka and acidity are directly proportional.
Q20. In Group III qualitative analysis, NH4Cl is added before NH4OH. What is the role of NH4Cl in this specific procedure?
Answer: To decrease the concentration of OH- ions
Explanation: NH4Cl provides a common ion (NH4+) that reduces NH4OH ionization, preventing Group IV precipitation. Option D is wrong.