Key Terms for Equilibrium

state of a reversible reaction in which the forward and reverse processes occur at equal rates

• equilibrium

• equilibrium constant (K)

• law of mass action

• homogeneous equilibria

value of the reaction quotient for a system at equilibrium; may be expressed using concentrations (K_c) or partial pressures (K_p)

• reaction quotient (Q)

• equilibrium constant (K)

• homogeneous equilibria

• equilibrium

equilibria in which reactants and products occupy two or more different phases

• equilibrium

• homogeneous equilibria

• Le Châtelier’s principle

• heterogeneous equilibria

equilibria in which all reactants and products occupy the same phase

• heterogeneous equilibria

• equilibrium

• homogeneous equilibria

• law of mass action

when a reversible reaction has attained equilibrium at a given temperature, the reaction quotient remains constant

• law of mass action

• equilibrium constant (K)

• reaction quotient (Q)

• reversible reaction

an equilibrium subjected to stress will shift in a way to counter the stress and re-establish equilibrium

• reversible reaction

• heterogeneous equilibria

• Le Châtelier’s principle

• equilibrium

mathematical function describing the relative amounts of reactants and products in a reaction mixture; may be expressed in terms of concentrations (Q_c) or pressures (Q_p)

• reaction quotient (Q)

• law of mass action

• equilibrium constant (K)

• reversible reaction

chemical reaction that can proceed in both the forward and reverse directions under given conditions

• law of mass action

• equilibrium constant (K)

• Le Châtelier’s principle

• reversible reaction