Question

What factors affect the equilibrium constant?

Answer 1

Equilibrium mixture:

• A mixture of reactants and products in the equilibrium state is called an equilibrium mixture.
• For a general reversible reaction such as:

$\mathrm{A}+\mathrm{B}\rightleftharpoons \mathrm{C}+\mathrm{D}$

• The equilibrium equation can be represented as:

${\mathrm{K}}_{\mathrm{c}}=\frac{\left[\mathrm{C}\right]\left[\mathrm{D}\right]}{\left[\mathrm{A}\right]\left[\mathrm{B}\right]}$, where ${\mathrm{K}}_{\mathrm{c}}$ is the equilibrium constant.

• The equilibrium constant is defined as a number that gives the relation between the amounts of products as well as reactants present at equilibrium at a given temperature.

Factors affecting Equilibrium constant:

1. Change in concentration of reactants and products:

• When the concentration of reactants/products is varied, there is a change in the composition of the equilibrium mixture.

2. Change in Pressure:

• When the pressure increases, the equilibrium will shift towards the side of the reaction with little moles of gas.

3. Change in temperature:

• As the temperature increases, the value of the equilibrium constant decreases.