1. What is the Equilibrium Constant?

The equilibrium constant (Kc) is a number that expresses the ratio of product concentrations to reactant concentrations at equilibrium, with each concentration raised to the power of its stoichiometric coefficient in the balanced chemical equation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the equilibrium constant formula:

Where:

• \( [products] \) — Concentration of products at equilibrium (mol/L)
• \( [reactants] \) — Concentration of reactants at equilibrium (mol/L)
• \( coefficients \) — Stoichiometric coefficients from balanced equation

Explanation: The equilibrium constant quantifies the position of equilibrium, with larger values indicating more products at equilibrium.

3. Importance of Equilibrium Constant

Details: Kc is crucial for predicting reaction direction, understanding reaction extent, and calculating equilibrium concentrations. It's temperature-dependent and characteristic for each reaction.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter equilibrium concentrations in mol/L and stoichiometric coefficients from the balanced equation. Reactant concentration must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a large Kc value indicate?
A: A large Kc (>1) indicates the reaction favors product formation at equilibrium.

Q2: What are the units of Kc?
A: Kc is technically unitless, though the calculation may involve concentration units that cancel out.

Q3: How does temperature affect Kc?
A: Kc changes with temperature - increases for endothermic reactions and decreases for exothermic reactions as temperature rises.

Q4: Can Kc be negative?
A: No, Kc is always positive since concentrations are always positive values.

Q5: What's the difference between Kc and Kp?
A: Kc uses concentrations (mol/L) while Kp uses partial pressures (atm) for gaseous systems.