Determining which side is favored

[Marriyum Aftab 2E]

Hi, does anyone know how we determine which side of the reaction is favored by looking at Q? How are we calculating that value?

[Joseph Dekel 1F]

To determine which side of a reaction is favored by looking at Q, compare Q to the equilibrium constant K. Calculate Q using the concentrations or partial pressures of reactants and products at a specific time. If Q < K, the reaction favors the formation of products. If Q > K, it favors the formation of reactants. If Q = K, the system is at equilibrium, and neither side is favored. This comparison indicates the direction the reaction must shift to reach equilibrium.

Hope this helps!

[Taryn 1J]

Just as the other post said, determining which side is favored is found by comparing the value of Q to the value of K

If Q < K, the reaction favors the formation of products. If Q > K, it favors the formation of reactants. If Q = K, the system is at equilibrium, and neither side is favored.

Rather than just memorize this rule/pattern, I'd recommend understanding why this occurs. I'll break down Q < K favoring products as an example:

The values of Q and K both follow: [Products]/[Reactants]

A system is going to favor the direction of equilibrium; we want to make Q = K.

When Q is less than K, the way that we can increase the value of Q is to increase the amount of products (increase the numerator) and reduce the amount of reactants (decrease the denominator).