The equilibrium constant

1. Definition:

● The equilibrium constant (K) is a numerical value that expresses the ratio of
the concentrations of products to the concentrations of reactants at
equilibrium, with each concentration raised to the power of its stoichiometric
coefficient. For a general reaction:
● aA+bB⇌cC+dD
The equilibrium constant, K, is given by:
● K=[C]^c [D]^d/[A]^a [B]^b
​

2. Characteristics of Equilibrium Constants:

● Temperature Dependence: The value of the equilibrium constant (K) is

temperature-dependent. Changes in temperature can alter the equilibrium
constant for a reaction, leading to shifts in the equilibrium position.
● Dimensionless: Equilibrium constants are dimensionless quantities since the
concentrations of reactants and products are expressed in moles per liter (M).
Therefore, the equilibrium constant has no units.
● Magnitude of K: The magnitude of the equilibrium constant provides
information about the position of equilibrium. A large value of K (>1) indicates
that the reaction favors the formation of products at equilibrium, while a small
value of K (<1) indicates that the reaction favors the formation of reactants at
equilibrium.

3. Types of Equilibrium Constants:

● Kc: The equilibrium constant expressed in terms of concentrations (in moles

per liter) of reactants and products.
● Kp: The equilibrium constant expressed in terms of partial pressures (in
atmospheres) of reactants and products for gaseous reactions.
● Kw: The ion product constant for water, which represents the equilibrium
constant for the autoionization of water into hydronium ions (H₃O⁺) and
hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in aqueous solutions.

4. Calculation of Equilibrium Constants:

● Equilibrium constants are determined experimentally by measuring the

concentrations of reactants and products at equilibrium and using these
 values to calculate the equilibrium constant using the appropriate expression
(Kc or Kp).
● Alternatively, equilibrium constants can be calculated using thermodynamic
data such as standard free energy changes (∆G°) and the relationship
between equilibrium constants and thermodynamic parameters.

5. Applications of Equilibrium Constants:

● Equilibrium constants are used extensively in chemical equilibrium

calculations to predict the direction in which a reaction will proceed and to
determine the concentrations of reactants and products at equilibrium.
● They are crucial in various fields of chemistry, including chemical engineering,
environmental science, and biochemistry, for designing and optimizing
chemical processes, analyzing environmental systems, and understanding
biochemical reactions.

6. Limitations of Equilibrium Constants:

● Equilibrium constants provide information about the position of equilibrium

but do not provide insights into the rate at which equilibrium is achieved or the
kinetics of the reaction.
● They assume ideal conditions, such as perfect mixing, constant temperature,
and a closed system. Deviations from these conditions can affect the
accuracy of predictions based on equilibrium constants.