Direction of an Acid/Base Reaction

Acidity $K_{a}$
Basicity $K_{b}$
The Conjugate Seesaw $K_{a}\times K_{b}=K_{w}$

Nathan Mariano 2G
Posts: 68
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:29 am

Direction of an Acid/Base Reaction

How can we determine whether an acid/base reaction will favor the forward reaction or the reverse reaction? Why do acids favor forward reactions, while bases favor reverse reactions?

Vy Lu 2B
Posts: 59
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:24 am

Re: Direction of an Acid/Base Reaction

We use the equilibrium constant K to compare it with the current state of the reaction (reaction quotient Q); the reaction will favor the forward direction if Q<K and it will favor the reverse direction if Q>K.
Acids do not specifically only favor the forward and bases do not specifically favor the reverse; each acid and base is unique, depending on its equilibrium constant.

Ethan Yi 1K
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:28 am

Re: Direction of an Acid/Base Reaction

for both Q and K, the products are in the numerator and thus if Q>K, there is an excess of products, and the reaction will proceed in the reverse reaction. likewise, the opposite is true of Q<K