Equilibrium

Chemistry · Class 11

Simulation · Chemistry · Class 11

An ICE table for PCl₅

From the lesson Applications of K and the reaction quotient in Equilibrium. Change the values and watch what happens.

An ICE table for PCl₅Chemistry · Class 11

The idea behind it

NCERT § "Applications of Equilibrium Constants"

  • The size of K shows how far a reaction goes: K > 10³ means products dominate, K < 10⁻³ means reactants dominate, and values in between mean appreciable amounts of both.
  • The reaction quotient Q has the same form as K but uses concentrations at any instant, not just at equilibrium.
  • If Q < K the reaction moves forward; if Q > K it moves backward; if Q = K it is at equilibrium.
  • To calculate equilibrium amounts, set up an initial-change-equilibrium table using the stoichiometry, substitute into K and solve.
  • Equilibrium concentrations depend on starting conditions, but the ratio defined by K does not.