Since the expression for the reaction quotient Q depends on the reaction equation, the magnitude of K also depends on how the reaction equation is written.
CaCO3(s)
CaO(s) + CO2(g)
Q = p(CO2)
If the equation is reversed, new Q = 1/Q1 and new K = 1/K1 = (K)–1
CaO(s) + CO2(g) CaCO3(s)
If the coefficients are all multiplied by n, new Q = (Q1)n and new K = (K1)n.
n = 2 in the example below.
2CaCO3(s) 2CaO(s) + 2CO2(g)
Q = p(CO2)2
CaCO3(s)
CaO(s) + CO2(g)Q = p(CO2)
If the equation is reversed, new Q = 1/Q1 and new K = 1/K1 = (K)–1
CaO(s) + CO2(g)
CaCO3(s)| Q | = | 1 | = (p(CO2))–1 |
| p(CO2) |
If the coefficients are all multiplied by n, new Q = (Q1)n and new K = (K1)n.
n = 2 in the example below.
2CaCO3(s)
2CaO(s) + 2CO2(g)Q = p(CO2)2