Left vs. Right

[luludaly2B]

Is there a difference between saying a chemical equations "favors the left/right" vs saying a reaction "shifts towards the left/right?" Are these two statements saying the same thing or the opposite?

[Anna Martin 2l]

I believe they both pretty much mean the same thing!

[Chanel Mao 3D]

The two statements are basically the same, but saying that a reaction shifts to the left/right might be misleading because the reaction doesn't physically shift. Hope this helps!

[Aliya Roserie 3I]

when you say that a chemical equation favors the left, what you are essentially saying is that there may be more reactant and therefore the reaction will go in the forward direction.

If you say that the chemical equation favors the right, what you are essentially saying is that there are more products and the reaction will want to go in the reverse direction: products --> reactant

[Jada3J]

when you say that a chemical equation favors the left, what you are essentially saying is that there may be more reactant and therefore the reaction will go in the forward direction.

If you say that the chemical equation favors the right, what you are essentially saying is that there are more products and the reaction will want to go in the reverse direction: products --> reactant

Thank you for explaining this I was wondering the same thing!

[Blas_Rodriguez_1B]

They both mean the same thing. As long as you keep in mind that it is not literal and nothing is actually shifting.

[SashaAnand2J]

The two terms are very similar. However, shift right/left is referring to a situation in which equilibrium is disturbed and the reaction quotient Q moves in the direction of K. This is Le Chatelier's principle. Saying a reaction favors the left/right is referring to the value of K itself, and whether it is >10^3 or <10^-3 as mentioned in lecture.

[Madeline Louie 1B]

I was also wondering, if one set of phrases "favored" vs. "shifts" is preferred? Or if one is a more proper expression? even though they mean the same thing.

[Kylie McCauley 1D]

hey,

these two phrases generally mean the same thing, it's just that reactions don't really "shift".

[Lauren Mungo 1K]

They both mean the same thing. They just signify which direction a reaction is proceeding, favors the left meaning reactants --> products and favors the right meaning products --> reactants

[luludaly2B]

I was also wondering, if one set of phrases "favored" vs. "shifts" is preferred? Or if one is a more proper expression? even though they mean the same thing.

I'm not sure, but I think favored is probably prefered, because the use of "shifts" may be misleading, nothing is physically shifting. Could someone confirm this?

[Ansh Patel 2I]

Hi! Both statements mean the same thing, whether you say an equation favors the left/right or shifts left/right.

[Nishka Vipul 1J]

Both phrases convey the same message! However, in the lecture, Dr. Lavelle mentioned that it is key to remember that nothing really "shifts" because we are talking about equilibrium.

[Chance Herbert 3A]

These both can be used interchangeably; however, it is important to understand that physical "shifting" does not actually occur in a system at equilibrium.

[Annette Fishman]

These both can be used interchangeably! It is important to note that no reaction actually "shifts". According to Le Chatelier, the position of equilibrium will move in such a way as to counteract the change.

[SahajDole_1C]

They mean the same thing.

[Minh-Thy Vo 3D]

Like other people said, they mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably.

[jessicasilverstein1F]

I think you can use either way to describe a shift!

[OwenSumter_2F]

Just be wary about using left/right as opposed to reactants/products as you may have a reverse reaction or something!

[Ian_Lee_1E]

Favoring left means that the equation is producing reactants more efficiently than products.

Towards the left means the same thing!

[Jonathan Batac - 2D]

"Favors" or "lies to" the right/left side refers to the K value by itself (either more reactants or more products are present at equilibrium. "Shifts to" the right/left refers to when there is a change in parameters or concentration since the system has to "shift" itself to reestablish equilibrium.

[Ava Nickman]

they mean the same thing

[VincentLe_3A]

I believe the two statements can be used interchangeably. When it "favors" or "shifts" right, then products are formed, but when it "favors" or shifts" left, then reactants are formed.

[DMaya_2G]

Both statements mean the same thing.

[Allan Nguyen 2G]

They're the same and the terms are used when you look at the K value to determine whether reactants or products are favored in a reaction.

[Katie Le 3K]

same thing!

[Nicolette Simoni 3L]

They are the same but I understand the confusion as they are said at different times in the textbook. If the reaction "shifts" to the right, it is favoring the products and if it "shifts" to the left it favors the reactants, that's how I like to understand it! Hope this helps! :))

[Maya Johnson 2a]

The statements are the same!

[Megan ODonnell 3F]

It seems to me from the lectures that they mean the same thing!

[Megan Hulsy 1A]

From the lectures, I believe they mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably!