Question #0ef5a

1 Answer
Jan 26, 2015

The equilibrium will shift to the right, favoring the formation of more product.

So, in order to determine whether or not a reaction is at equilibrium, you must calculate the reaction quotient, or #Q_c#.

#Q_c# expressed the ratio of products to reactants at a given instant. If the value you obtain for #Q_c# is smaller than #K_(eq)#, the equilibrium constant, there are more reactants than products, which will cause the equilibrium to shift to the right, favoring the formation of more products.

If #Q_c# is bigger than #K_(eq)#, there are more products than reactants, which will cause the equilibrium to shift ot the left, favoring the formation of more reactants.

If #Q_c# is equal to #K_(eq)#, the reaction is at equilibrium and no shift will take place.

#Q_c = ([B])/([A]) = ("0.100 mol/L")/("0.020 mol/L") = 5.0#

Notice that #Q_c# is smaller than #K_(eq)#, which is said to be 10.0. This means that the reaction will shift to the right and favor the formation of more product.