Equilibrium Flashcards
What is equal at equilibrium?
Rate of forward and rate of reverse reactions
What chemicals can be included in an equilibrium constant expression?
Gases and aqueous
NO SOLIDS OR LIQUIDS
When writing a K or Q expression in terms of concentrations, you must use
Brackets
Ex. [A]
When writing a K or Q expression in terms of pressures, you must use
partial pressures
Ex. PA
If K > 1, then the _________ are favored at equilibrium.
Products
If 0 < K < 1, then the _________ are favored at equilibrium.
Reactants
When K is a large number (usually greater than 1000), we can treat the reaction as if it is
going to completion and using up the limiting reactant.
When K is a very small number (usually less than 0.0001), we can assume that
a negligible amount of reactants are used.
Note: You CANNOT assume that no products are formed. Even if it is a tiny amount of reactants, it’s still significantly greater than 0.
An example of this is when Ka is used in weak acid equilibrium.
When you reverse a reaction, what do you do to K?
1/K
When you triple the coefficients of a reaction, what do you do to K?
K3
When you add two reactions together, what do you do to their Ks?
Multiply them together
If Q < K, then the reaction is proceeding to produce more _________.
Products
If Q > K, then the reaction is proceeding to produce more _________.
Reactants
If Q < K, then the forward reaction is _______ than the reverse reaction.
Faster
If Q > K, then the forward reaction is _______ than the reverse reaction.
Slower
