What is the relationship between the equilibrium constant of a forward reaction (K) and the equilibrium constant of the reverse reaction (K')?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. K' = 1 / K
- Step 1: Consider the general reversible reaction: .
- Step 2: The forward equilibrium constant is: .
- Step 3: For the reverse reaction: , the equilibrium constant is: .
- Step 4: Comparing the two expressions shows: .
- Step 5: Reversing a chemical equation inverts its equilibrium constant.
Answer
K' = 1 / K
Why not the others: 'K' = -K' confuses chemical equilibrium constants with free energy or enthalpy changes; 'K' = K' implies identical forward and reverse states; 'K' = sqrt(K)' corresponds to halving the stoichiometric coefficients.
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