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A chemical reaction has an equilibrium constant of 2×106. If this reaction is at equilibrium, what is the correct conclusion that can be made about the reaction?

1) The reaction is spontaneous
2) The reaction is exothermic
3) The reaction is reversible
4) The reaction is at a high temperature

User Robert E
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

A chemical reaction with an equilibrium constant of 2×106 indicates that it is significantly shifted towards the products and can be described as spontaneous and reversible. The magnitude of the equilibrium constant does not directly infer that the reaction is exothermic or occurs at high temperatures.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a chemical reaction has an equilibrium constant of 2×106, it suggests that the process is significantly shifted towards the products at equilibrium. This is because the equilibrium constant (K) value is a ratio of the concentration of the products over the reactants for a reaction at equilibrium. A large K value, particularly one as high as 2 million, indicates the reaction favors the formation of products, and it can thus be concluded that:

  • The reaction is reversible.
  • The reaction has proceeded nearly to completion to yield an equilibrium mixture containing mostly products, which implies the reaction can be described as spontaneous.

A spontaneous reaction is one that occurs on its own under specific conditions without needing a continuous input of energy. However, spontaneity does not necessarily mean that a reaction is exothermic nor that it occurs at high temperatures. While it may often be the case, it is not a correct conclusion based on the magnitude of the equilibrium constant alone.

In summary, of the given options, the most correct conclusion is that the reaction is reversible, due to the nature of equilibrium.

User Beercohol
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