Equilibrium expression & constant

• The?equilibrium expression?is an expression that links the?equilibrium constant,?K_c, to the?concentrations of reactants and products?at equilibrium taking the?stoichiometry?of the equation into account
• So, for a given reaction:

aA + bB ? cC + dD

the?K_c?is expressed as follows:

Equilibrium expression linking the equilibrium concentration of reactants and products at equilibrium

• Solids?are ignored in equilibrium expressions
• The?K_c?of a reaction is specific to a given equation

Answer:

• The size of K_c?tells us how the equilibrium mixture is made up with respect to reactants and products

• If?K_c?> 1, the concentration of products is?greater?than the concentration of reactants and we say that the equilibrium lies to the?right hand?side
• If?K_c?< 1, then the concentration of reactants is?greater?than the concentration of products and we say that the equilibrium lies to?the left hand?side
• K_cis a constant at a specified temperature
• Since temperature can affect the position of equilibrium it follows that?K_c?is dependent on temperature

Answer:

• • 1 and 2: As K_c?is very much smaller than 1 the denominator in the equilibrium expression must be much larger than the numerator so the concentration of the reactants is much larger than the concentration of products. The equilibrium mixture contains?mostly reactants
  • 3: As K_c?is very much larger than 1 the numerator in the equilibrium expression must be much larger than the denominator so the concentration of the products is much larger than the concentration of reactants. The equilibrium mixture contains?mostly products