L2.2: Equilibrium Constant

• Equilibrium Constant (K or Keq)

  ● The relationship between the concentration of the products and the concentration of the reactants.

  ○ The more reactants, the more products.

  ○ As the reaction goes, the amount of reactants go down and the amount of product goes up – until the reaction balances out reaching equilibrium.

  REMEMBER: Brackets, [], are used to symbolize concentration in moles per liter (mol/L).
• The Magnitude of the Equilibrium Constant

  ● If K > 1 = Products are favored

  ○ More products are present at equilibrium.

  ■ If products are favored, the reaction mostly goes forward.
• The Magnitude of the Equilibrium Constant

  ● If K < 1 = Reactants are favored

  ○ More reactants are present at equilibrium.

  ■ If reactants are favored, the reaction mostly stays as reactants and doesn’t go very far.
• The Magnitude of the Equilibrium Constant

  ● If K = 1 = Neither is strongly favored

  ○ There are similar amounts of reactants and products at equilibrium

  REMEMBER: “Favored” means that the balance at equilibrium leans towards one side.