The Reaction Quotient - Chemistry LibreTexts

K vs. Q

The main difference between \(K\) and \(Q\) is that \(K\) describes a reaction that is at equilibrium, whereas \(Q\) describes a reaction that is not at equilibrium. To determine \(Q\), the concentrations of the reactants and products must be known. For a given general chemical equation:

\[aA + bB \rightleftharpoons cC + dD \tag{1}\nonumber \]

the Q equation is written by multiplying the activities (which are approximated by concentrations) for the species of the products and dividing by the activities of the reactants. If any component in the reaction has a coefficient, indicated above with lower case letters, the concentration is raised to the power of the coefficient. \(Q\) for the above equation is therefore:

\[Q_c = \dfrac{[C]^c[D]^d}{[A]^a[B]^b} \tag{2}\nonumber \]

Note

This equation only shows components in the gaseous or aqueous states. Each pure liquid or solid has an activity of one and can be functionally omitted. Equilibrium constants really contain a ratio of concentrations (actual concentration divided by the reference concentration that defines the standard state). Because the standard state for concentrations is usually chosen to be 1 mol/L, it is not written out in practical applications. Hence, the ratio does not contain units.

A comparison of \(Q\) with \(K\) indicates which way the reaction shifts and which side of the reaction is favored:

• If \(Q>K\), then the reaction favors the reactants. This means that in the \(Q\) equation, the ratio of the numerator (the concentration or pressure of the products) to the denominator (the concentration or pressure of the reactants) is larger than that for \(K\), indicating that more products are present than there would be at equilibrium. Because reactions always tend toward equilibrium (Le Châtelier's Principle), the reaction produces more reactants from the excess products, therefore causing the system to shift to the LEFT. This allows the system to reach equilibrium.
• If \(Q<K\), then the reaction favors the products. The ratio of products to reactants is less than that for the system at equilibrium—the concentration or the pressure of the reactants is greater than the concentration or pressure of the products. Because the reaction tends toward reach equilibrium, the system shifts to the RIGHT to make more products.
• If \(Q=K\), then the reaction is already at equilibrium. There is no tendency to form more reactants or more products at this point. No side is favored and no shift occurs.