Chapter 16.4, Problem 2PE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Whether the equilibrium constant for the given reaction is greater or smaller than 1 has to be predicted.

Concept Introduction:

Equilibrium constant:

Equilibrium constant is the ratio of the concentration of product and the concentration of the reactant.

$\text{K}$ is the equilibrium constant.

The criteria of $K$are given below:

$\begin{array}{l}\text{When}\text{K}\text{is}\text{greater}\text{than}\text{1}\text{,the}\text{reaction}\text{mixture}\text{contains mostly}\text{only}\text{the}\text{products}\text{.}\\ \text{When}\text{K}\text{is}\text{lesser}\text{than}\text{1}\text{,}\text{the}\text{reaction}\text{mixture}\text{contains}\text{mostly}\text{only}\text{the}\text{reactants}\text{.}\\ \text{When}\text{K}\text{is}\text{equal}\text{to}\text{1}\text{,}\text{the}\text{reaction}\text{is said to be in equilibrium}\text{. }\end{array}$

Strength of conjugate acid-base:

Strong acid or base possess weak conjugate base or acid respectively and weak acid or base possess strong conjugate acid or base respectively.