An aqueous solution contains the ions B, C, and D that are in equilibrium with one another according to the reaction
B (aq) + C (aq) ->/<- D (aq)
A certain amount of water is added so as to double the volume of this solution, while keeping the temperature and the pressure constant. Answer the following question for the instant after the water is added but before the equilibrium shifts.
1) The instant after the water has been added, the value of the reaction quotient for this reaction has
(a) increased
(b) decreased
(c) remained the same
2) The instant after the water has been added, the value of the equilibrium constant for this reaction has
(a) increased
(b) decreased
(c) remained the same
I thought that it will remain the same as water is added. Only reactants and products can change equilibrium before/after
Thanks for any help
You are correct in thinking that water does not directly participate in the equilibrium reaction, so the addition of water will not affect the equilibrium of the reaction. Let's go through each question and explain why the answers are as follows:
1) The instant after the water has been added, the value of the reaction quotient for this reaction has...
The reaction quotient, denoted as Q, is a calculation used to determine the relative positions of the reaction mixture with respect to equilibrium. It is calculated in the same way as the equilibrium constant expression, but using the concentrations of the reactants and products at a particular moment in time.
In this case, since the addition of water does not affect the concentrations of the reactants and products, the value of the reaction quotient will remain the same. Therefore, the answer is (c) remained the same.
2) The instant after the water has been added, the value of the equilibrium constant for this reaction has...
The equilibrium constant, denoted as K, is a constant value that describes the position of an equilibrium reaction at a specific temperature. It is determined using the concentrations of the reactants and products at equilibrium.
Since the addition of water does not change the concentrations of the reactants and products, it will not alter the equilibrium constant. Therefore, the answer is (c) remained the same.
In summary, adding water to the solution will not affect the equilibrium of the reaction, so both the reaction quotient and equilibrium constant will remain the same.