Indicate whether each of the following statements about the reaction quotient Q is true or false: (b) If 𝑄_𝑐< 𝐾_𝑐, the reaction needs to proceed to the right to reach equilibrium.

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Identify the relationship between the reaction quotient \( Q_c \) and the equilibrium constant \( K_c \).

Understand that \( Q_c \) is calculated using the concentrations of the reactants and products at any point in time, while \( K_c \) is calculated using concentrations at equilibrium.

Recognize that if \( Q_c < K_c \), it indicates that the concentration of products is less than what is required at equilibrium.

Conclude that the reaction will proceed in the forward direction (to the right) to increase the concentration of products and decrease the concentration of reactants until \( Q_c = K_c \).

Therefore, the statement is true: If \( Q_c < K_c \), the reaction needs to proceed to the right to reach equilibrium.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Reaction Quotient (Q)

The reaction quotient, Q, is a measure of the relative concentrations of products and reactants at any point in a reaction. It is calculated using the same expression as the equilibrium constant (K), but with the current concentrations instead of equilibrium concentrations. Q helps determine the direction in which a reaction will proceed to reach equilibrium.

Equilibrium Constant (K)

The equilibrium constant, K, is a value that expresses the ratio of the concentrations of products to reactants at equilibrium for a given reaction at a specific temperature. If K is greater than 1, products are favored at equilibrium; if K is less than 1, reactants are favored. K is a crucial reference point for comparing with Q to predict the direction of the reaction.

Le Chatelier's Principle

Le Chatelier's Principle states that if a system at equilibrium is disturbed, the system will adjust to counteract the disturbance and restore a new equilibrium. This principle helps explain how changes in concentration, pressure, or temperature affect the position of equilibrium, guiding predictions about whether a reaction will shift to the right (toward products) or left (toward reactants).

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Le Chatelier's Principle

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Textbook Question

Indicate whether each of the following statements about the reaction quotient Q is true or false: (a) The expression for 𝑄_𝑐 looks the same as the expression for 𝐾_𝑐.

Textbook Question

At 100°C, the equilibrium constant for the reaction COCl₂(𝑔) ⇌ CO(𝑔) + Cl₂(𝑔) has the value 𝐾_𝑐= 2.19×10⁻¹⁰. Are the following mixtures of COCl₂, CO, and Cl₂ at 100°C at equilibrium? If not, indicate the direction that the reaction must proceed to achieve equilibrium.

(a) [COCl₂] = 2.00×10⁻³M, [CO] = 3.3×10⁻⁶M, [Cl₂] = 6.62×10⁻⁶ M

(b) [COCl₂] = 4.50×10⁻²M, [CO] = 1.1×10⁻⁷M, [Cl₂] = 2.25×10⁻⁶ M

Indicate whether each of the following statements about the reaction quotient Q is true or false: (b) If 𝑄𝑐 < 𝐾𝑐, the reaction needs to proceed to the right to reach equilibrium.

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Key Concepts

Reaction Quotient (Q)

Equilibrium Constant (K)

Le Chatelier's Principle

Indicate whether each of the following statements about the reaction quotient Q is true or false: (b) If 𝑄_𝑐< 𝐾_𝑐, the reaction needs to proceed to the right to reach equilibrium.