Question

In a chemical reaction, it is determined that the equilibrium constant is 0.213. Which of the following is a correct statement regarding this reaction?

There are more products than reactants at equilibrium.


The reaction will continue until no reactant remains.


There are more reactants than products at equilibrium.


The reaction has stopped completely.

Answer 1

The correct statement for a chemical reaction with an equilibrium constant of 0.213 is that there are more reactants than products at equilibrium.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that the equilibrium constant is 0.213 for a chemical reaction, we can make certain determinations about the state of the reaction at equilibrium. When the equilibrium constant (K) is less than 1, this generally means that the ratio of products to reactants at equilibrium is small and the reaction system favors the reactants. Therefore, the correct statement is that there are more reactants than products at equilibrium.

It is important to understand that when equilibrium is reached, the reaction has not stopped; rather, it is a dynamic state where the forward and reverse reactions continue at the same rate, maintaining constant concentrations of reactants and products. The idea that the reaction continues until no reactant remains is incorrect because a reaction at equilibrium does not favor complete conversion to products unless the equilibrium constant is significantly greater than 1.

Answer 2

Answer: There are more reactants than products at equilibrium.

Step-by-step explanation:

1) The equilibrium constant is defined as the ratio of the constant of reaction for the forward reaction divided by the constant of reaction for the reverse reaction.

2) If the constant of reacton for the forward reaction is greater than the constant of reaction for the reverse reaction, then the equilbrium constant is greater than 1 and the equilibrium is reached at a point where there are more products than reactants.

This is not the case given that the equilibrium constant is less than 1.

3) If the constant of reaction for the forward reaction is less than the constant of reaction for the reverse reaction, then the equilibrium constant is less than 1 and at equilibrium there will be more reactants than products.


This is the case given, since the equilibrium constant is 0.123.

Therefore, the answer is: there are more reactants than products at equilibrium.