CHEM 122 Chapter : 6.7 Applications of the Equilibrium Constant.docx

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Chemistry
• Course: CHEM 122
• Professor: John Canal

Document Summary

Inherent tendency for a reaction to occur is signified by the magnitude of the equilibrium constant. If k >> 1, the equilibrium system will consist mostly of products equilibrium lies to the right. If k << 1, the equilibrium system will consist mostly of reactants equilibrium position lies far to the left. The reaction does not occur to any significant extent. If [product/reactant] = 0, the system will shift in the direction of the missing component. Q is obtained by applying the law of mass action but using initial concentrations instead of equilibrium concentrations. If q = k, the system is at equilibrium; no shift will occur. If q > k, the ratio of initial [products] to initial [reactants] is too large. System must shift to the left, consuming products and forming reactants to reach equilibrium. If q < k, the ratio of initial [products] to initial [reactants] is too small.