Chemistry: Equilibrium: Equilibrium Constants: Reaction Quotient, Q

the reaction quotient, Q

something which can be used to calculate the direction and degree to which a reaction will shift when new products or reactants are added (Le Chatelier's principle)

what makes up the reaction quotient

the ratio of the product concentrations, raised to their stoichiometric coefficients, to the reactant concentrations, raised to their stoichiometric coefficients, at non-standard conditions

what the reaction quotient indicates

which way the reaction will shift: 1. When Q > K, the reaction shifts to the left toward the reactants 2. When Q < K, the reaction proceeds to the right toward the products 3. When Q = K, the reaction is at equilibrium