Solving for K

[Helen Mejia 1I]

When is it okay to use parathesis or brackets when solving for K? What is the difference between them?

[Ariel Cheng 2I]

We use brackets in our calculation for Kc because we are using the molarity/concentration which is denoted with brackets. I don't think its necessary to use brackets when solving for Kp because we are using partial pressure though I'm not sure.

[Amar Singh]

A simple rule of thumb would be that if the equation involves gases, you use the parenthesis to denote partial pressure, and when the equation involves an aqueous solution, you use the brackets to denote molar concentration. There are exceptions to this rule (particularly the one with gases, as sometimes you need to find the Kc value instead of Kp), but you don't have to worry about that for now.

[Rachel-Weisz3C]

I think that as long as you know that the brackets represent concentration you should be good. Once you begin to solve the problem, I don't think it is necessary to differentiate between parentheses or brackets.

[Lasya Gudipudi 1A]

It doesn't really matter if you use parentheses or brackets when solving for K in terms of calculation. But to find K_c, you use concentrations, so it is more appropriate to use brackets to represent molarity while when finding K_p, you use partial pressure which is represented with parentheses. The final answer won't be different since it requires the same calculation.

[Mariana Fuentes 1L]

You use parenthesis when solving/ using Kp and you use brackets when solving using Kc.

[Isabelle Fontanilla 1I]

Brackets indicate the concentration of whatever is inside the brackets. This means that you're solving for Kc.
Parenthesis just indicates groupings and multiplication. This is not conclusive in that you can be dealing with partial pressures or concentrations.

[Aiden Atoori 1C]

A go to tip is to use brackets when you are dealing with concentration.