1. What is the Reaction Quotient?

The reaction quotient (Q) measures the relative amounts of products and reactants present during a reaction at a particular point in time. It helps predict the direction in which a reaction will proceed to reach equilibrium.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the reaction quotient equation:

Where:

• \( [Products] \) — Concentration of products (mol/L)
• \( [Reactants] \) — Concentration of reactants (mol/L)

Explanation: Q is calculated by dividing the product of the concentrations of the reaction products by the product of the concentrations of the reactants.

3. Importance of Q Calculation

Details: Comparing Q to the equilibrium constant (K) determines whether a reaction will proceed forward (Q < K), reverse (Q > K), or is at equilibrium (Q = K).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter concentrations of products and reactants in mol/L. Reactant concentration must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between Q and K?
A: Q is calculated at any point during the reaction, while K is calculated only at equilibrium.

Q2: What does Q = 1 mean?
A: When Q = 1, the concentrations of products and reactants are equal, but this doesn't necessarily mean the system is at equilibrium.

Q3: How do I interpret Q values?
A: Compare Q to K for the reaction. If Q < K, reaction proceeds forward; if Q > K, reaction proceeds in reverse.

Q4: Does Q have units?
A: Q is dimensionless when the number of product and reactant moles are equal in the balanced equation.

Q5: Can Q be negative?
A: No, concentrations are always positive values, so Q cannot be negative.