Equilibrium Constant

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Angela Wu-2H
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:16 am

Equilibrium Constant

For a small equilibrium constant (K<10^-3), it favors the reactants so more reactants are produced. Why?

Paul Hage 2G
Posts: 105
Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2019 12:17 am

Re: Equilibrium Constant

A small equilibrium equilibrium constant (K<10^-3) means that there is a large equilibrium concentration of reactants (reactants are in the denominator of the K expression, so when the concentration of reactants is large, K will be small). Because there is a greater concentration of reactants at equilibrium, we say that equilibrium favors the reactants in the reaction.

christabellej 1F
Posts: 109
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:17 am

Re: Equilibrium Constant

If a K is that small (less than 10^-3), then at equilibrium, there will be way more reactants than products, indicating only a small amount of product was formed before the reaction reached equilibrium. This is because the reactant state has greater stability, so the reactants will want to stay reactants.

Juliana Chopelas 1A
Posts: 50
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2019 12:16 am

Re: Equilibrium Constant

In the equilibrium expression, reactants are int he denominator so if the reactants are favored there are way more of them being produced because reactants want to stay as reactants, similarly, if the K was greater than 10^-3 the products would be favored, producing more products as products want to stay as products

Simon Dionson 4I
Posts: 107
Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2019 12:17 am

Re: Equilibrium Constant

Since reactants are represented at the bottom, if the number is smaller than 10^-3 then more reactants are present at equilibrium

Nick Fiorentino 1E
Posts: 102
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:16 am

Re: Equilibrium Constant

K is represented by the products/reactants. So, if K is really small (less than 10^-3) then there are more reactants than products

ValerieChavarin 4F
Posts: 99
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:18 am

Re: Equilibrium Constant

Since K=products/reactants. A small K value indicated that the numerator is being divided by a large denominator. So there are more reactants.

Nawal Dandachi 1G
Posts: 102
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2019 12:16 am

Re: Equilibrium Constant

because k is equal to [products] divided by [reactants], we know that we will end up with a low K value if the [reactant] > [products]. And therefore, there is more reactants