Equilibrium Flashcards
At equilibrium, what happens to reactant and product concentrations?
They stop changing and become constant
At equilibrium, what happens to the rates of forward and reverse reactions?
They become equal. Products and reactants form at an equal rate
At equilibrium, what is the overall rate of a reversible reaction?
Zero because the forward and reverse reactions are occurring at equal rates
[Products]/[Reactants] at equilibrium is known as what?
The equilibrium constant (K)
k(fwd)/k(rev) is known as what?
(k = rate constant)
The equilibrium constant (K)
When K > 1, are products or reactants favored to form?
Products are favored
When K < 1, are products or reactants favored to form?
Reactants are favored
Do any reactions go to 100% completion?
No
What is the reaction quotient Q?
[Products]/[Reactants], not necessarily at equilibrium
When does K = Q?
At equilibrium
For aA + bB ⇄ cC + dD, what is the reaction quotient Q?
([C]^c [D]^d)/([A]^a [B]^b)
When Q > K, does the reaction proceed to the left or right?
To the left
When Q > K, [products] is higher than at equilibrium, so the reaction shifts to form reactants
When Q < K, does the reaction proceed to the left or right?
To the right
When Q > K, [reactants] is higher than at equilibrium, so the reaction shifts to form products
To decide in which direction a reaction proceeds, what do you compare K to?
Compare K to Q
To decide if reactants or products are favored, what do you compare K to?
Compare K to 1
