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Chapter 4
Chemical Equilibrium

Key terms
equilibrium constant (K) The value obtained
when equilibrium concentrations are substituted
into the reaction quotient.
law of chemical equilibrium (also law of mass
action) The law stating that when a system
reaches equilibrium at a given temperature, the
ratio of quantities that make up the reaction
quotient has a constant numerical value.
reaction quotient (Q) (also mass-action
expression) A ratio of terms for a given reaction
consisting of product concentrations multiplied
together and divided by reactant concentrations
multiplied together, each raised to the power of
their balancing coeffcient. The value of Q
changes until the system reaches equilibrium, at
which point it equals K.
Le Châtelier’s principle A principle stating that
if a system in a state of equilibrium is disturbed, it
will undergo a change that shifts its equilibrium
position in a direction that reduces the effect of
the disturbance.

Key Principles
• The principles of equilibrium and kinetics apply to different aspects of a chemical change: the extent
(yield) of a reaction is not related to its rate. (Introduction)
• All reactions are reversible. When the forward and reverse reaction rates are equal, the system has
reached equilibrium. After this point, there is no further observable change. The ratio of the rate
constants equals the equilibrium constant, K. The size of K is directly related to the extent of the reaction
at a given temperature. (Section 4.1)
• The ideal gas law is used to quantitatively relate an equilibrium constant based on concentrations, Kc,
to one based on pressures, Kp. (Section 4.1)
• The reaction quotient, Q, is a specific ratio of product and reactant concentration terms. The various
ways to write Q are all based directly on the balanced equation. The value of Q changes continually until
the system reaches equilibrium, at which point Q = K. (Section 4.2)
• At any point in a reaction, we can predict its direction by comparing Q and K: if Q < K, the reaction
will form more product; if Q > K, the reaction will form more reactant; if Q = K, the reaction is at
equilibrium. (Section 4.2)

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General Chemistry II Dr. Truong Thanh Tu
• If the initial concentration of a reactant, [A]init, is much larger than the change in its concentration to
reach equilibrium, x, we make the simplifying assumption that x can be neglected in calculations. (Section
4.3)
• If a system at equilibrium is disturbed by a change in conditions (concentration, pressure, or
temperature), it will temporarily not be at equilibrium, but will then undergo a net reaction to reach
equilibrium again (Le Châtelier’s principle). A change in concentration, pressure, or the presence of a
catalyst does not affect K, but a change in temperature does. (Section 4.4)

Learning Objectives
1. Distinguish between the rate and the extent of a reaction; understand that the equilibrium constant
(K) is a number whose magnitude is related to the extent of the reaction.


2. Understand that the reaction quotient (Q) changes until the system reaches equilibrium, when it
equals K; write Q for any balanced equation, and calculate K given concentrations.

3. Use the ideal gas law and ngas to convert between Kc and Kp. 


4. Explain how the reaction direction depends on the relative values of Q and K.
5. Solve different types of equilibrium problems; calculate K given unknown quantities
(concentrations or pressures), or unknown quantities given K; set up and use a reaction table, apply
the quadratic equation, and make an assumption to simplify the calculations.
6. Understand Le Châtelier’s principle, and predict the effects of concentration, pressure (volume),
temperature, and a catalyst on equilibrium position and on K.

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