Interpretation: An explanation has to be given on relative concentrations of products and reactants for equilibrium constant
Concept introduction: For a balanced
The equilibrium expression is ratio of the concentration of the products to the concentration of the reactants. The concentration of each reactant/product is raised to a power corresponding to their coefficient in the balanced equation.
The law of chemical equilibrium is given by the equilibrium expression,
The equilibrium constant is represented as
Answer to Problem 37A
A small equilibrium constant directs that the concentration of product is much small compared to that of reactant. The equilibrium position is to the left and the reaction could be made useful, by shifting the equilibrium position to the right.
Explanation of Solution
The given equilibrium constant is
For a balanced chemical reaction,
The equilibrium expression is ratio of the concentration of the products to the concentration of the reactants. The concentration of each reactant/product is raised to a power corresponding to their coefficient in the balanced equation.
The law of chemical equilibrium is given by the equilibrium expression,
The equilibrium constant is represented as
The magnitude of the equilibrium constant
A small equilibrium constant shows that the equilibrium concentration of the reactants would be large. The reaction would proceed to the left side indicating an increase in the concentration of reactants.
A small equilibrium constant specifies that the concentration of product is much small compared to that of reactant. The equilibrium position is shifted to the left and is not good for the production of products. The reaction would be made useful by shifting the equilibrium position to the right.
In case of smaller equilibrium constant, the concentration of the reactants is higher, the equilibrium position shifts towards the left, and the reaction is a not good source of the products. By shifting the equilibrium position towards the right, the reaction would be made more useful.
Chapter 17 Solutions
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