How do we tell if K changes when a stress is applied?

[Brandon McClelland3L]

I understand how the reaction shifts left or right under stress, but I'm having trouble telling whether or not K changes. Can anyone provide an explanation?

[Mikayla James 2A]

Hi! For changes in pressure/volume and concentration, K doesn't change because these changes disrupt the system and it will eventually return to equilibrium. K only changes with changes in temperature, where if it's endothermic and the temperature is increased, K will increase, and if it's exothermic and the temperature is increased, K will decrease. Hope this helps!

[Katelyn Alvarado 3K]

As stated above, K will actually never change unless the stress that is applied is a change in heat, because the shifting of the reaction takes place in order to keep K the same and preserve that ratio. When there is a heat change, either more reactants are produced or more products are produced depending on which reaction is endothermic/exothermic without regard to preserving K. This is why K will only change if temperature/heat changes and stays the same for other stresses.

[Kiku Shirakata 2A]

Hello,

As mentioned above, I think that for this class, it's important to keep in mind that the equilibrium constant will only be affected by temperature.

Hope this helps!