Units for K

[Drew Myers 4G]

Why are there no units for K?

[Shutong Hou_1F]

Actually, the equilibrium constant K has unit, but to include the unit would make the calculation much more complex (and the numerical value of K would be a little bit different--so little that it would be much more convenient to not include a unit for K. To have K have no unit, we would write molar concentration with units omitted. To make K have unit and thus more exact, we could use a = constant * [X], and the constant is assumed to be 1 for us to omit the unit of K.

[Asia Yamada 2B]

I believe that the units cancel out leaving you with just the ratio of products to reactants.

[JasmineCap1A]

I believe that the units cancel out leaving you with just the ratio of products to reactants.

You are correct, there are no units (only a ratio representing amounts of two things) because they all cancel

[Isabel_Eslabon_2G]

I think because it's a ratio, it has no units. Not 100% sure if that's the correct explanation but that's what a teacher told me in high school.

[Malakai Espinosa 3E]

The units for K cancel so there is actually no units. It merely tells us the ratio of products and reactants relative to one another.

[Sejal Parsi 3K]

K essentially tells us the ratio of the products and reactants, so the units cancel out.

[Brianna Chen 3F]

In the end, the units cancel out with the ratio which is why K is considered unitless.

[Victor Qiu 1C]

I don’t think the units can cancel out all the time.
If A_(aq) + B_(aq) → 2C_(aq) + D_(aq)
K_c = [C]² [D] / ([A] [B])
Because there is a square, one unit of [C] would not cancel out, and the unit of K_c should be the unit of [C].

[Ken_Cheng_2A]

I'd like to second Isabel's response that since K is a ratio, there are no units. I think that's the simplest way of thinking about it, and as far as I know, that's also the most we need to understand, but if you're looking for a further explanation, you can try looking it up.

[manisha_joseph_1H]

When calculating K, the units of the numerator and denominator cancel, so there are no units associated with K. In this case, K just represents the ratio of products to reactants at equilibrium.

[manisha_joseph_1H]

When calculating K, the units of the numerator and denominator cancel, so there are no units associated with K. In this case, K just represents the ratio of products to reactants at equilibrium.

[Aria Movassaghi 1A]

I think all units cancel in the calculation so that k wouldn't have units

[Namita Shyam 3G]

Since K is just a ratio (of products to reactants), there are not units since they cancel.

[Michelle Nguyen 3F]

K is a ratio (and a constant overall), so it will not have units!! Also, all the units of concentration or pressure will be cancelled out when you solve for K

[Chelsea_Guzman_3C]

K has no units because since it is a ratio, they cancel out in the end.

[Shivani Kapur 2J]

Since K is a ratio where all units cancel out, there are none.

[Lillian]

It's a ratio constant, so they cancel out.

[Diana Aguilar 3H]

Since K is a ratio, when you solve for K all the units cancel out so in the end K is left unitless.

[Alix Salama 3K]

I think because it's a ratio, it has no units. Not 100% sure if that's the correct explanation but that's what a teacher told me in high school.

Yeah because it's just a ratio units aren't applicable

[Joshua_Chan_3K]

Since its a ratio, the units should cancel out but honestly I actually somewhat doubt that explanation. Someone else mentioned this as well but when if you square one of the substances because they have a coefficient naturally the units should be squared as well. If the reactants aren't squared then this wouldn't cancel out properly. The best explanation that I have is that the equilibrium constant is found arbitrarily without stoichiometry so its not given units due to its inherit definition as a ratio.

[Jose Miguel Conste 3H]

K is a ration therefore the units do cancel out

[Gabe_Ek 1G]

Since K is a ratio, the units usually cancel our at the end, that's why they're no units with the final answer.

[Muskaan Abdul-Sattar]

I believe that since K is a ratio, the units cancel out and you are just left with the value!

[Javier Perez M 1H]

yes K is typically a ratio but sometimes pressures can be added to an equation in a similar manner where the pressures are to the power of thier coefficient and where the whole fraction is not equal to 1.

[Katelynn Shaheen 2C]

There are no units for K because it cancels out. K is a ratio, so you are just left with a value.

[Anastasia Yulo 1C]

Great question! There are no units, because they all cancel out. If you were to make a fraction of products over reactants with the respective units (molarity)...you would find that they all cancel! This is because K is a ratio of products and reactions at equilibrium.

[aashmi_agrawal_3d]

Since K is a ratio, the units cancel out.

[David Y]

Because K is a ratio, the unit cancel out.

[Jacob Schwarz-Discussion 3I]

Since K is just informing us of a ratio(of Products to Reatants) the units would cancel and that's why K doesn't contain any units.