Equilibrium and kinetics

Question

A. What information does the equilibrium constant give?

B. What is the equilibrium constant of aA+bB = cC +dD?

C. What does Le Châtelier's principle predict will happen to a system if equilibrium is upset in the following ways?

1. Additional reactant is added.
2. Additional product is added.
3. Heat is added.
4. Pressure is increased in a gaseous system.

Answer 1

A. The equilibrium constant gives us information about the "extent" of the reaction, i.e. will it favor formation of products, or formation of reactants.

B. For aA + bB <==> cC + dC, the equilibrium constant (K) = [A]^a[B]^b / [C]^c[D]^d

C.

1. Additional reactant is added. reaction will shift to the right to form product
2.  Additional product is added. reaction will shift to the left to form reactant
3.  Heat is added. - reaction will shift toward reactants for exothermic rxn and toward products for endothermic rxn.
4.  Pressure is increased in a gaseous system. reaction will shift away from the side of the reaction that contains the most moles of gas. If moles of gas are the same on both sides of the reaction, there will be no effect.