Equilibrium Favoring

[KatelinTanjuaquio 1L]

I am working on Module #1 and came across this problem:

For the unbalanced reaction, CO (g) + H2 (g) ⇌ CH3OH (g), the equilibrium concentrations are [CO] = 0.0911 M, [H2 ] = 0.0822 M, [CH3OH] = 0.00892 M. What is the value of the equilibrium constant? Does the equilibrium favor reactants or products?

I understand how the equilibrium constant is calculated. However, what I do not understand is how equilibrium favors reactants or products. How can we tell which side is preferred when we are only given equilibrium concentrations, as opposed to when we can calculate the reaction quotient and determine favorability from there?

[Ariel Cheng 2I]

I think that the question is asking what the reaction favors when it is at equilibrium (as opposed to when we use Q to see which direction the reaction will go when it is not at equilibrium). I do not remember the exact numbers but I believe in the first few lectures Dr. Lavelle talked about the reaction "sitting" to the right or left. If Kc is really large meaning that there is a greater amount of products (remember that Kc = [products]/[reactants]), then the equilibrium favors products and "sits" to the right. If Kc is really small meaning that there are more reactants, then equilibrium favors reactants and "sits" to the left.

[Phan Tran 1K]

A reaction favoring either side of an equation is really just saying will the reaction proceed in the forwards or the backwards direction. You know this by calculating Q and then comparing it to K. Since in these quotients are a fraction with products on the top and reactants on the bottom, Q being smaller than K means that more products need to be produced to increase Q to match K and the reaction will proceed accordingly, and vice versa.

[Ethan Breaux 2F]

The post-module assignment just had it that:

K > 1 means that there are more products at equilibrium (lies to the right)
K < 1 means that there are more reactants at equilibrium (lies to the left)
K = 1 means neither are favored.

[705367472]

So when we solve to find the chemical equilibrium....we have to balance the equation first then solve for k before determining if it shifts to the right or left.