If Q is less than K, what will happen to the system based on equilibrium principles?

If Q is less than K, what will happen to the system based on equilibrium principles?

• A. The reaction will shift left to favor reactants.
• B. The reaction will shift right to produce more products.
• C. The equilibrium constant will increase.
• D. No change will occur.

Answer: (B)

When the reaction quotient (Q) is less than the equilibrium constant (K), it indicates that there are relatively fewer products compared to the reactants at that point in time. According to Le Chatelier's principle, if a chemical system is not in equilibrium and Q does not equal K, the system will respond in a way that seeks to restore equilibrium. In this scenario, since Q is less than K, the system will adjust by shifting towards the products to increase their concentration until Q reaches K. This shift right enhances the production of products, ultimately leading to a new state of equilibrium where the ratio of products to reactants reflects the constant K. It's important to note that the equilibrium constant itself does not change as a result of the shift; it is a property that reflects the proportions of reactants and products at equilibrium for a given reaction at a specific temperature. Therefore, the statement about the reaction shifting right to produce more products accurately describes the system's behavior in response to the current conditions.

When the reaction quotient (Q) is less than the equilibrium constant (K), it indicates that there are relatively fewer products compared to the reactants at that point in time. According to Le Chatelier's principle, if a chemical system is not in equilibrium and Q does not equal K, the system will respond in a way that seeks to restore equilibrium.

In this scenario, since Q is less than K, the system will adjust by shifting towards the products to increase their concentration until Q reaches K. This shift right enhances the production of products, ultimately leading to a new state of equilibrium where the ratio of products to reactants reflects the constant K.

It's important to note that the equilibrium constant itself does not change as a result of the shift; it is a property that reflects the proportions of reactants and products at equilibrium for a given reaction at a specific temperature. Therefore, the statement about the reaction shifting right to produce more products accurately describes the system's behavior in response to the current conditions.