Equilibrium constant

It has been found experimentally that at a particular temperature, when equilibrium is achieved, the ratio between the concentration of products and reactants becomes constant. This can be represented with the help of following formula:

the number of moles of the solute present in one liter of solution is Molarity

Example:- In reaction

N₂ (g) +3H₂ (g) 2NH₃ (g)

In chemical reactions the Molarity of a reactant or a product is represented by putting its symbol or formula within a square bracket, [ ]

Here the concentration of each term [NH₃], [N₂] and [H₂], is raised to the power equal to the stoichiometric coeffient and Kc is called equilibrium constant.

Importance of equilibrium constant Kc: Magnitude of equilibrium constant Kc indicates the extent of a chemical reaction. Larger the value of Kc, higher will be the concentration of products at equilibrium. Smaller value of Kc indicates the lower concentration of the products at equilibrium.

Test your understanding and answer these questions:

What is equilibrium constant? What is its importance?

Factors effecting chemical equilibrium

Electrolytes