Value of K

[Eric Quach 1C]

What does it mean when K is larger than 1 and smaller than 1?

[Layal Suboh 1I]

When K > 1, the equilibrium favors the formation of products. When k < 1, the equilibrium favors the decomposition back to reactants. When k=1, there is the same concentration of reactants and products.

Hope this helps!

[Kim Tran 1J]

When K is larger than 1, there are more products at equilibrium, so equilibrium favors products ("equilibrium sits to the right").
When K is smaller than 1, there are more reactants at equilibrium, so equilibrium favors reactants ("equilibrium sits to the left").

This is because when you calculate the equilibrium constant, K, you divide products over reactants. So if K is larger, the numerator (product) is more than the denominator (reactant).

[Kirsty Star 2H]

Typically a "small" value of K is < 10^-3 and a "large" value is > 10^3. Any K value in between is viewed as intermediate, in which neither reactants or products are favored.

[chloewinnett1L]

Think about the math behind what K actually is: a ratio of products to reactants. Therefore, when K=1, that means that the products and the reactants have an equal concentration/partial pressure (for example, 5/5=1). When K>1, that means that the ratio is "top-heavy" and there are more products than reactants (for example, 10/5=2). Similarly, when K<1, that means that the ratio is "bottom-heavy" and there are more reactants than products (for example, 5/10=0.5).

[Brianna Brockman 1F]

K is a ratio of Products/Reactants (to think about it algebraically, say Products=a and Reactants=b). If K=1, then that means a/b=1, meaning a=b. If K>1, then a has to be greater than b in order to make the ratio larger than one, and if K<1, b has to be greater than a to make the ratio smaller.

[Hannah Yates 1K]

When K is Larger than 1, the forward reaction is favored and more products are being produced.
When K is smaller than 1, the reverse reaction is favored and more reactants are being produced.