Q vs K

[Cecilia Jardon 1I]

Is Q just the calculation of a reaction that has not yet reached equilibrium?

[Kate Chow 4H]

Q is just a calculation of equilibrium at a certain point within the reaction. Q changes as the reaction shifts towards equilibrium. However, Q = K at equilibrium.

[004932366]

The same method of calculating K is used to calculate Q. Q, the reactant quotient, is different from K when the reaction has not reached equilibrium, and depending on how much larger of smaller Q is from K, one is able to tell whether the forward or backwards reaction is favored. Like what the person before said, Q=K when the reaction is at equilibrium. If Q<K at some point during the reaction (when Q is calculated), the forward reaction is favored. If Q>K at some point in the reaction, the reverse reaction is favored.

[405112316]

Q and K and calculated the same exact way: concentration of products over concentration of reactants. However, Q calculates the status of a reaction when it is not in equilibrium; the purpose is to understand what direction the reaction is currently moving in.

[Lumbini Chandrasekera 1B]

Q CAN be at equilibrium or it can't. It's simply meant to describe the state of the reaction to compare to K value of the reaction at equilibrium to see where that reaction is sitting.

[MadisonB]

Simply put, Q is at any moment and K is when in equilibrium. Q can be used to show change.