1. What is Chemical Equilibrium?

Chemical equilibrium is the state in which both reactants and products are present in concentrations which have no further tendency to change with time. At equilibrium, the forward and reverse reactions occur at equal rates.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the equilibrium expression:

Where:

• \( K \) — Equilibrium constant (unitless)
• \( [Products] \) — Concentration of products at equilibrium (M)
• \( [Reactants] \) — Concentration of reactants at equilibrium (M)

Explanation: The calculator solves for x in the ICE (Initial, Change, Equilibrium) table to determine the equilibrium concentrations.

3. Importance of Equilibrium Calculations

Details: Equilibrium calculations are essential for predicting reaction outcomes, designing chemical processes, and understanding biological systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the equilibrium constant (K), initial concentrations of reactants and products, and their stoichiometric coefficients. All values must be valid (K > 0, concentrations ≥ 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if my reaction has different stoichiometric coefficients?
A: Currently, this calculator supports 1:1 stoichiometry. For more complex reactions, specialized software may be needed.

Q2: What units should I use for concentrations?
A: All concentrations should be in molarity (M, moles per liter).

Q3: Can I use partial pressures for gas-phase reactions?
A: This calculator uses concentrations. For gas-phase reactions, you would need to use Kp with partial pressures.

Q4: What if my calculated x exceeds initial reactant concentration?
A: The calculator automatically limits x to the initial reactant concentration to prevent negative concentrations.

Q5: How accurate are these calculations?
A: They are mathematically accurate for ideal systems, but real chemical systems may show deviations due to non-ideal behavior.