Consider a beaker that is half full of liquid water and is sealed at the top so

Question

Consider a beaker that is half full of liquid water and is sealed at the top so that no air can enter or leave the beaker. Initially, the temperature of the liquid water and air inside is held at 15° C. After a short time, the water vapor content of the air in the beaker reaches a “dynamic equilibrium” or a state of “saturation”. Explain what is meant by “saturation” and why is it called a “dynamic equilibrium”. Now assume that the temperature of the water and air inside the beaker is warmed up to 30° C. This temporarily causes the system to no longer be in dynamic equilibrium or a state of saturation with respect to water vapor. If the temperature is now held at 30° C, explain how the system will return to a new dynamic equilibrium or state of saturation.

Explanation / Answer

At dynamic equilibrium, the reaction rate of the forward reaction is equal to the reaction rate of the backward reaction.In our question , at dynamic equlibrium or satuartion point,

Rate of vaporization of water = Rate of codensation of water vapour,

so net change in concentration of either phase is zero.

If the temperature of the system is increased to 30 degrees celsius, the dynamic equilibrium is temporarily disturbed.More water is vaporized and more water vapor is condensed than at 15 degrees celsius.After some time

Rate of vaporization of water = Rate of codensation of water vapour

So again a new dynamic equilibrium is established.

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