## Q and K

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Jina Kwon
Posts: 100
Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2019 12:15 am

### Q and K

I'm still little bit confused between Q and K. When do you use each one?

Kate Swertfager
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:17 am

### Re: Q and K

K is used at equilibrium. Q can be used at any time during the reaction. You can find Q and then compare it to K. For instance is K=Q, then you know the reaction is at equilibrium.

Ronak Naik
Posts: 103
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2019 12:15 am

### Re: Q and K

Q and K are both calculated the same way — products/reactants. K is specifically referring to when the chemical reaction is in equilibrium. Q describes the reaction at any other point in time other than equilibrium.

Emma Popescu 1L
Posts: 105
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2019 12:16 am

### Re: Q and K

Q is the reaction quotient while K is the equilibrium constant. Q is used to determine which direction a reaction will shift to reach equilibrium. If K > Q, the reaction will proceed forward but if K < Q, the reaction will proceed in the reverse direction.

Elizabeth Harty 1A
Posts: 125
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2019 12:16 am

### Re: Q and K

Although they are both calculated the same way, they are compared to determine which way the reaction will proceed.

Abby Soriano 1J
Posts: 103
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2019 12:16 am

### Re: Q and K

K is a constant that only describes the [products]/[reactants] at equilibrium. Q can be calculated at any time during the reaction and is often compared to K in order to see if the reaction is moving in either the forward or reverse direction.

Luyan Zhang - 2D
Posts: 103
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2019 12:16 am

### Re: Q and K

K describes the reaction once it reaches equilibrium. Q is calculated the same way as K, but it is for the reaction at any point in time that is not equilibrium. You can find Q and compare it with K to determine which way the reaction will proceed. Hope this helps.

Areli C 1L
Posts: 95
Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2018 12:19 am

### Re: Q and K

Luyan Zhang - 2D wrote:K describes the reaction once it reaches equilibrium. Q is calculated the same way as K, but it is for the reaction at any point in time that is not equilibrium. You can find Q and compare it with K to determine which way the reaction will proceed. Hope this helps.

This makes so much sense! Thank you :)