1. What is the Equilibrium Constant?

The equilibrium constant (K_eq) is a fundamental concept in chemical equilibrium that describes the ratio of product concentrations to reactant concentrations at equilibrium. It provides quantitative 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:

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

Explanation: The equilibrium constant expresses the relationship between the concentrations of products and reactants when a chemical reaction has reached equilibrium.

3. Importance of K_eq Calculation

Details: Calculating the equilibrium constant is essential for predicting reaction direction, understanding reaction spontaneity, and determining the extent to which reactants are converted to products under specific conditions.

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 K_eq value indicate?
A: K_eq > 1 favors products, K_eq < 1 favors reactants, K_eq = 1 indicates equal concentrations at equilibrium.

Q2: Is K_eq temperature dependent?
A: Yes, equilibrium constants change with temperature according to the van't Hoff equation.

Q3: How is K_eq different from Q?
A: K_eq is at equilibrium, while Q (reaction quotient) can be calculated at any point during the reaction.

Q4: What are the units of K_eq?
A: For this simple ratio, K_eq is dimensionless, but for reactions with different stoichiometric coefficients, it may have units.

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