"Deriving the Units of chemical equilibrium"

"Deriving the Units of chemical equilibrium"

Introduction

Equilibrium constants play a crucial role in chemical reactions, providing insights into the balance between reactants and products at a given point in a reaction. These constants are indispensable in the field of chemistry, aiding researchers and scientists in predicting reaction outcomes and understanding the dynamics of chemical systems.

In this article, we will explore the units of equilibrium constants and their significance in the context of chemical equilibrium.

• When there are equal number of moles

Suppose the examples mention below;

K_c = [CH₃COOC₂H₅][H₂O]

       [C₂H₅OH][CH₃COOH]

 

K_c = [moldm^-3][ moldm^-3] =  no units

       [moldm^-3][ moldm^-3]

 

K_c =   [HI]²

       [H₂][I₂]

K_c =        [moldm^-3] ²        =  no units

       [moldm^-3][ moldm^-3]

•  When there are unequal number of moles;

K_c =   [NO₂]²  

        [N₂O₄]

K_c =        [moldm^-3] ²        =  [ moldm^-3]

             [moldm^-3]

 

K_c =   [NH₃]²  

        [N₂][H₂]³

K_c =        [moldm^-3] ²        =  [ mol^-2dm⁶]

       [moldm^-3][ moldm^-3]³