Equilibrium vs. Non-Equilibrium

[Delaney Smith 1C]

How do you know if a reaction is at equilibrium or not at equilibrium? Will the question state specifically to solve for K or Q or do you have to know just by looking at the reaction whether you're solving a reaction at equilibrium or not at equilibrium?

[Radha Patel 4I]

I think the question will provide a value for K then you would have to find the value of Q or it will provide Q and you would have to find K. And then you would use the values of K and Q to determine if they are at equilibrium if both K and Q are the same.

[Alice Chang 2H]

When a reaction is at equilibrium, both sides of the equation (reactants and products) will be reacting, but at the same rate (thus being equal). If you find that K is equal to 1, then the reaction is at equilibrium.

Solving for Q means solving for the ratio between products and reaction at any time of the reaction. If Q=K, then you are at equilibrium.

I think it's just a matter of knowing K, and figuring out if Q=K or not. I don't think any questions would be too tricky in giving vague information about the reaction.

[Hussain Chharawalla 1G]

To add on, if Q<K that means there is either too much reactants or not enough products. So the reaction will continue in the forward direction.

If Q>K, then there is too many products and not enough reactants, so the reverse reaction is favored.

[Emil Velasco 1H]

If Q does not equal K or vice versa, then I believe you would have to solve for either respectively. If Q is the same value calculated, then the reaction is at equilibrium