Question

What do small (but still positive) equilibrium constants mean?

A) Reaction Favors Products
B) Reaction Favors Reactants
C) Reaction is Inactive
D) Reaction is Unpredictable

Answer 1

When the equilibrium constant (K) is small (but still positive), it means that the reactants are favored at equilibrium.

Step-by-step explanation:

Equilibrium constants describe the ratio of products to reactants at equilibrium. When the equilibrium constant (K) is small (but still positive), it means that the reactants are favored at equilibrium. This indicates that there are more reactant molecules present in the equilibrium mixture compared to product molecules. In other words, the system has a higher concentration of reactants than products.

For example, let's consider the reaction:

2A + B <=> 3C

If the value of the equilibrium constant (K) is small, say 0.01, it means that at equilibrium there will be more reactant molecules (A and B) compared to the product molecules (C). This indicates that the forward reaction, which forms products, is relatively slower compared to the reverse reaction, which forms reactants. Therefore, the reaction favors the reactants.