Physical sciences break 1.0

EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANTS: K_c

This page explains what is meant by an equilibrium constant, introducing equilibrium constants expressed in terms of concentrations, K_c. It assumes that you are familiar with the concept of a dynamic equilibrium, and know what is meant by the terms “homogeneous” and “heterogeneous” as applied to chemical reactions.

We need to look at two different types of equilibria (homogeneous and heterogeneous) separately, because the equilibrium constants are defined differently.

• A homogeneous equilibrium has everything present in the same phase. The usual examples include reactions where everything is a gas, or everything is present in the same solution.
• A heterogeneous equilibrium has things present in more than one phase. The usual examples include reactions involving solids and gases, or solids and liquids.

 K_c in homogeneous equilibria

This is the more straightforward case. It applies where everything in the equilibrium mixture is present as a gas, or everything is present in the same solution.

A good example of a gaseous homogeneous equilibrium is the conversion of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide at the heart of the Contact Process:

A commonly used liquid example is the esterification reaction between an organic acid and an alcohol – for example:

Writing an expression for K_c

We are going to look at a general case with the equation:

No state symbols have been given, but they will be all (g), or all (l), or all (aq) if the reaction was between substances in solution in water.

If you allow this reaction to reach equilibrium and then measure the equilibrium concentrations of everything, you can combine these concentrations into an expression known as an equilibrium constant.

The equilibrium constant always has the same value (provided you don’t change the temperature), irrespective of the amounts of A, B, C and D you started with. It is also unaffected by a change in pressure or whether or not you are using a catalyst.