Interactive Self-Study Module: Chemical Reactions
Overview:
This module uses screencasts to explain the meanings and uses of yield, selectivity, conversion, equilibrium constants, and limiting reactants. It then provides example problems to allow the user to test themselves. Your retention of material in this module will increase if you write down reasons for your answers to ConcepTests and questions in screencasts, and you try to solve the example problems before watching the screencast solutions. We suggest using the learning resources in the following order:
- Attempt to answer the multiple-choice ConcepTest and solve the example problem before watching the screencasts.
- Watch the screencasts that discuss fractional conversion and percent yield and answer the questions within the screencasts.
- Review important equations for chemical reactions.
- Try to solve the example problems before watching the solutions in the screencasts.
- Answer the ConcepTests.
- Look at the list of key points, but only after you try to list the key points yourself.
Motivation:
- A number of terms and concepts are important to use when performing material and energy balance calculations on reaction systems. These terms include limiting reactant, equilibrium, yield, fractional conversion, and selectivity.
- This module is intended for use in a material and energy balances course.
Before studying this module, you should be able to:
- Use the Ideal Gas Law to calculate pressure, volume, or temperature.
- Balance chemical reactions.
- Perform Material Balances calculations.
After studying this module, you should be able to:
- Use yield or selectivity to remove one degree of freedom.
- Determine equilibrium constants.
- Use fractional conversion in material balances.
- Determine the limiting reactant for a system.