The important characteristics of equilibrium constant are discussed below:
1. The equilibrium constant has a definite value for every reaction at a particular temperature.
2. The value of equilibrium constant is independent of the original concentration of reactants.
3. The value of equilibrium constant tells the extent to which a reaction proceeds in the forward or reverse direction. If the value of K is larger, then the equilibrium concentration of the components on the right hand side of the reaction will be greater than the components on the left hand side of the reaction. Hence the reaction proceeds to a greater extent and vice versa.
4. The equilibrium constant is independent of the presence of catalyst. This is because the catalyst affects the rate of forward reaction and backward reactions equally.
5. For a reversible reaction, the equilibrium constant for the forward reaction is inverse of the equilibrium constant for the backward reaction i.e.
Kforward reaction> = 1 / Kbackward reaction>
6. Equilibrium constant is dependent on the temperature which is given as:
Log K2 / K1 = ∆H / 2.303 R [1 / T1 – 1 / T2
Where K1 and K2 are the equilibrium constants at temperature T1 and T2 respectively and ∆H is the enthalpy change for the reaction. It is assumed that ∆H is independent of the temperature.
