Equilibrium: A Teaching/Learning Activity

Abstract

This article describes hands-on activities for high-school or undergraduate students designed to clarify important concepts involved in early studies of equilibrium. They are conducted in small groups and use any small, easily available objects that present no hazard to the individuals involved in the group (e.g., matches, toothpicks, buttons). Concepts included are that at equilibrium, rate of forward reaction = rate of backward reaction; concentrations of both reactants and products remain constant; the equilibrium constant is constant at the same temperature but changes as the temperature changes; and equilibrium may be approached from different starting points.See Letters (1, 2) re: this article.