The terms "constant" and "equilibrium" are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings.
A constant is a value that does not change. For example, the speed of light is a constant. It is always 299,792,458 meters per second, regardless of the conditions.
Equilibrium, on the other hand, is a state of balance. In a chemical reaction, equilibrium is reached when the forward and backward reactions are occurring at the same rate. This means that the concentrations of the reactants and products do not change over time.
The equilibrium constant is a number that describes the relationship between the concentrations of the reactants and products at equilibrium. It is a constant for a given reaction, but it can change depending on the temperature and other conditions.
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between constants and equilibrium:
| Feature | Constant | Equilibrium |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A value that does not change | A state of balance |
| Example | The speed of light | The concentration of a reactant in a chemical reaction at equilibrium |
| Dependence on conditions | Does not change | Can change depending on temperature and other conditions |
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.