Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The equilibrium constant (K) is a measure of the ratio of concentrations at equilibrium for products over reactants, each raised to their stoichiometric coefficients in the balanced equation.
This measures the relative amounts of products and reactants present during a reaction at any point in time. It's like taking snapshots throughout your party!
This principle states that if stress is applied to a system at equilibrium, then the system will adjust itself in order to restore equilibrium. Like adding more people into your party and seeing how it adjusts!
The state where both reactants and products are present in concentrations which have no further tendency to change with time. It's like when your party reaches a point where the number of people coming in equals those leaving.