1. What is the Equilibrium Constant?

The equilibrium constant (K_eq) is a fundamental concept in chemical equilibrium that quantifies the ratio of product concentrations to reactant concentrations at equilibrium. It provides crucial information about the position of equilibrium and the extent of a chemical reaction.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the equilibrium constant formula:

Where:

• \( K_{eq} \) — Equilibrium constant (dimensionless)
• \( [Products] \) — Concentration of products at equilibrium (mol/L)
• \( [Reactants] \) — Concentration of reactants at equilibrium (mol/L)

Explanation: The equilibrium constant expresses the relationship between concentrations of chemical species when a reversible reaction reaches equilibrium.

3. Importance of Equilibrium Constant

Details: The equilibrium constant is essential for predicting reaction direction, calculating equilibrium concentrations, understanding reaction thermodynamics, and designing chemical processes in industry and research.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter product and reactant concentrations in mol/L. Both values must be positive, and reactant concentration must be greater than zero for valid calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does the magnitude of K_eq indicate?
A: K_eq > 1 favors products, K_eq < 1 favors reactants, K_eq ≈ 1 indicates significant amounts of both.

Q2: Is K_eq affected by temperature?
A: Yes, equilibrium constants are temperature-dependent according to the van't Hoff equation.

Q3: How is K_eq different from Q?
A: K_eq uses equilibrium concentrations, while Q (reaction quotient) can use concentrations at any point in the reaction.

Q4: What are the units of K_eq?
A: For this simple ratio, K_eq is dimensionless, but more complex equilibrium constants may have units.

Q5: Can K_eq be negative?
A: No, equilibrium constants are always positive values since concentrations cannot be negative.