Dissociation Constant (Kd)

Definition

The dissociation constant is a specific type of equilibrium constant that measures the propensity of a larger object to separate (dissociate) reversibly into smaller components, as when a complex falls apart into its component molecules, or when a salt splits up into its component ions.

Related terms

Equilibrium Constant (Keq):

This is a measure of the ratio of the concentrations of products to reactants at equilibrium. It gives us an idea about which direction a reaction tends to favor.

Ionization Constant (Ka): This is similar to Kd but specifically refers to acids and bases. It measures how readily an acid donates protons or a base accepts them.

Solubility Product Constant (Ksp): This describes how much of a solid substance can dissolve in water. A higher Ksp means more solute can be dissolved.