Meaning of K

[EmilyC_3D]

I just wanted to check, when using K in the thermodynamics equations, does it always stand for the equilibrium constant? Thank you!

[Madilyn Schindler 3E]

The only things I can think of that K could stand for is potassium, Kelvin, or the equilibrium constant haha. However, a lowercase k could stand for the Boltzmann constant. Hope that helps!

[Tiao Tan 3C]

I agree with Madilyn! So far, I've only seen K representing the equilibrium constant in thermodynamics questions. The lowercase k representing the Boltzmann's constant will appear in the future.

[Alan Huang 1E]

In most problems I think the K would be for Kelvin. However, if the problems ask for an equilibrium constant than K could be that as well. It depends on context so it could be case-by-case.

[Jasmine Ho 3I]

Yes, in all of the equations Professor Lavelle has given us with a capital K, the K is the equilibrium constant.

[Brandon Pham 1H]

Yeah it stands for the equilibrium constant for all our problems

[Uyen Trinh 3C]

It depends on what the question is asking for but in most cases it is the equilibrium constant.

[Muskaan Abdul-Sattar]

K when used as a unit is likely referring to Kelvin. But, in problems regarding equilibrium constants, K is the equilibrium constant.

[Brian Bui 3H]

If K is next to a number (ex. 298 K), then K = Kelvin
If K equals something (ex. K = 1.0 x 10^-8), then K = equilibrium constant
If k is lowercase, then it's the Boltzmann's constant
Hope this helps!

[Annika Tamaki 1E]

Yes, K always means equilibrium constant

[Xinying Wang_3C]

Yes, when K represents a variable, it means the equilibrium constant.

[Nicoli Peiris 1B]

Sometimes it is a unit meaning kelvin but otherwise for our purposes it is the equilibrium constant.

[MCalcagnie_ 1D]

I think you're referring to the recent homework problems and examples that we have been given, and in those, yes K is representing the equilibrium constant.

[Vanessa Perez]

Yes! I was getting a little confused on this too! But K is equilibrium constant. Also look at for Q too!

[Samantha Lee 1A]

If you are referencing K in terms of the equation, , then yes, K is the equilibrium constant. K alone can mean lots of things. If it is attached to a temperature, it stands for Kelvin. If it is a variable in a equation, there is a good chance that it is referencing the equilibrium constant. Another thing to hint at K being the equilibrium constant is if Q (is also apart of the equation). I mean Q for the non equilibrium constant, ie. Q>K, etc, and not q, meaning heat.

[Akriti Ratti 1H]

When used in equations, K refers to the equilibrium constant.

[Kimiya Aframian IB]

I just wanted to check, when using K in the thermodynamics equations, does it always stand for the equilibrium constant? Thank you!

Hi! I think that K must be put into context for thermodynamics because it can be the unit of temperature K (Kelvin), k (also written as kb) for Boltzmann's constant, or K which is the equilibrium constant. Hope this helps!

[Gustavo_Chavez_1K]

Yeah for thermodynamics K can either be used as an abbreviation for the units Kelvin or as the equilibrium constant!

[Ava Nickman]

Yup! equilibrium constant or I guess Kelvin... but the indication should be clear in the question

[Colin Squire 3B]

In the context of thermochemistry and thermodynamics, I have only seem K used as the equilibrium constant. The only other option I can think of is Kelvin which is also K.

[RyanKopeikin_2I]

I would assume K stands for the equilibrium constant, because k (or kB) is Boltzmann's Constant, and if it is temperature in Kelvin the "K" will be accompanied by a number, like in 300K.

[jia207]

K can be used for both the equilibrium constant or an abbreviation for Kelvin

[Carly_Lipschitz_3H]

K most usually means the equilibrium constant. As I'm sure you know K can also stand for Kelvins. It will definitely be clear whether the K given in a question is an equilibrium constant or if it is the value of temperature.

[Leyla Anwar 3B]

If K is in the units it is Kelvin and if K is a variable you are solving for, such as within the deltaG equation, then it is the equilibrium constant!

[Keon Amirazodi 3H]

Capital K represents the equilibrium constant in the thermodynamics equations

[Kayla Booker 1F]

Yes, In the equation K represents equilibrium constant

[Olivia Smith 2E]

It will stand for the equilibrium constant if in an equation. If used after a temperature it is kelvin.

[Arnav Saud 2C]

I think the best way to think about it is the way it's situated.
If K is used as a unit, then it's most likely kelvin. If K is equaling some kind of value or is involved in an equilibrium problem, then it's probably referring to the equilibrium constant. A lowercase k refers to the Boltzmann Constant.

[Mari Williams 1K]

Temperature is represented in equations by T, so an uppercase K in the equation refers to the equilibrium constant :)

[haley f]

Yes, we have only been using K to refer to the equilibrium constant so far!

[Griffin G]

Yes K is always the equilibrium constant we learned about in 14a.

[Lauren Mungo 1K]

Yes in all equations K is the equilibrium constant. The only other thing you could confuse it with is K for kelvin so just make sure to read the problem carefully !

[Kyla Villarama 1E]

Yes, K is always the equilibrium constant in this context.

[Alejandro Gonzalez 2G]

Depending on the context of the problem, K can either refer to the equilibrium constant or the temperature in Kelvin.

[Joshua Chung 2D]

In this context, K is always the equilibrium constant.

[Kelly Ha 1K]

K is the equilibrium constant. However, if it is mentioned in the context of units, K most likely refers to temperature in Kelvin.

[Can Yilgor 2D]

From a thermodynamics standpoint, I believe K generally refers to the equilibrium constant and the absolute temperature in equations.

[Crystal Pan 2G]

Uppercase K means the equilibrium constant, or it could mean Kelvins. lowercase k would be the boltzmann constant.

[Queena Chu 3E]

Yes, in this case it stands for equilibrium constant.

[Mehreen 3I]

K always refers to the equilibrium constant in that context. K is the constant of a certain reaction when it is in equilibrium, while Q is the quotient of activities of products and reactants at any stage of a reaction.

[Ranen_Chang_2G]

Depending on context, K could be equilibrium constant or Kelvin.

[Shreyank Kadadi 3K]

For this class, it wall always stand for the equilibrium constant or for Kelvin

[Emily_Stenzler_2H]

Yes! Especially in this class, if we are finding K this is most always referring to the equilibrium constant. If we are meant to find temperature, we would likely be told to calculate temperature in K, rather than to calculate K.

[Taylor Newville 1C]

The problem will tell you what is meant by K and its value will make it obvious too. Usually it is either the equilibrium constant or temperature in kelvins.

[Kaleb Tuliau 3E]

So is it referring to equilibrium constants or the temperature ?

[Alison Perkins 2B]

K can either stand for Kelvin or the equilibrium constant, which should be fairly easy to distinguish. The Boltzman constant is the other k I can think of appearing, but it's lowercase and often has a B subscript. Be careful with kB for the Boltzman constant and KB for an equilibrium constant considering basicity.

[Lizbeth Garcia 1F]

You can use it for Kelvin or the equilibrium constant, but the K for Kelvin is usually shown regular in the books while the K for the equilibrium constant is usually italicized.

[Evonne Hsu 1J]

Generally, K would stand for Kelvin. It can also stand for the equilibrium constant K, if stated in the question.

[DPatel_2L]

It can either stand for Kelvin or the constant.

[Kathy_Li_1H]

Hi! Usually, K stands for equilibrium constant OR the temperature unit Kelvin.

[Sable Summerfield]

What exactly does exp mean? I saw it in a problem and was not sure what to do with it.

[Caelin Brenninkmeijer 1G]

I think it's safe to assume that K will usually signify the equilibrium constant when not addressing temperature (as in Kelvin).

[Sreeram Kurada 3H]

K represents the equilibrium constant while Q represents the reaction quotient.

[Susanna Givan 2B]

It is either the equilibrium constant or temperature in Kelvin. But usually, it is the equilibrium constant.

[LovepreetSran_3H]

K will always stand as the equilibrium constant or temperature in kelvin.

[Susan Chamling 1F]

K stands for the equilibrium constant, although K also stands for Kelvin.