Interpreting perturbations in systems at chemical equilibrium through the reaction quotient Q: a digital teaching proposal for upper secondary chemistry

Abstract

The interpretation of perturbations in systems at chemical equilibrium is often addressed in upper secondary education through qualitative rules associated with Le Chatelier’s principle, which tends to foster memorised answers and misinterpretations. This paper presents a digital teaching resource that centres the analysis of perturbations on the com-
parison between Q and K. The proposal integrates a core simulator, application missions, a student workbook, and consolidation and review activities. Its design addresses difficulties related to pressure and volume, temperature, inert gases, catalysts, and changes in the number of moles in the gaseous state, Δn(gas). In this way, the resource offers teachers an integrated environment for working on chemical equilibrium in upper secondary education, analysing it, arguing about it, and revising it.