5.7.2

Equilibrium Constants

Test yourself

Equilibrium Constants

It's great to know all about equilibria, but it's even better to be able to do some math with it.

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Equilibrium Constant: Keq

  • The equilibrium constant is a constant for a particular reaction at a particular temperature.
    • An equilibrium constant greater than one indicates that the forwards reaction dominates.
    • An equilibrium constant less than one indicates that the backward reaction dominates.
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Math

  • For the reaction aA + bB \rightleftharpoons cC + dD:
  • Keq=[D]d[C]c[A]a[B]bK_{eq} = \frac{[D]^d[C]^c}{[A]^a[B]^b}
    • The square brackets indicate concentrations.
    • The indices are the stoichiometries of the components.
      • These are the numbers before each species in the reaction equation - represented above by lower case letters.
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Calculations

  • We may be given the value of Keq so we will have to sub the values in for each concentration, this will give us a value for Keq.
    • Make sure to sub the units of each concentration into this calculation to make sure the Keq value has the correct units.
  • We can also be given the Keq value and may have to rearrange the equation to find a concentration.
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States

  • When writing the Keq expression, remember that solids and liquids are not incluced.
    • For the reaction aA(s) + bB(aq) \rightleftharpoons cC(aq) + dD(l):
    • Keq=[C]c[B]bK_{eq} = \frac{[C]^c}{[B]^b}
  • The AP Chemistry exam will try and trick you out with this!!
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Equilibrium constant and free energy

  • We can relate the equilibrium constant for a reaction to its free energy change. The equation that relates the two is:
    • ΔG = -RTln(K)
  • The more negative the ΔG value, the larger the value for the equilibrium constant.
  • The more positive the ΔG value, the smaller the equilibrium constant.

Jump to other topics

1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2Periodic Trends

3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4Halogens

3.5Noble gases, group 18

3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7Functional Group Chemistry

3.8Alkanes

3.9Alcohols

3.10Halogenoalkanes

4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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