Chemistry / Unit 10 Chem 1761 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Reaction Quotient Q Defined
Captions available
The idea
A reaction quotient Q has the same form as K but is calculated from concentrations at any moment, not necessarily at equilibrium.
In practice
Measuring concentrations partway through a reaction and substituting them into the K expression gives that moment's Q.
Where people slip
Q and K share a formula but answer different questions — Q describes now, K describes the equilibrium destination.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for Chemistry