The equilibrium constant for the reaction that breaks down each molecule of substrate A to one molecule of B and one molecule of C is equal to 0.5. Starting with a mixture containing only molecules A at 1 M concentration, what will be the concentration of molecule A after reaching equilibrium under these conditions?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The equilibrium constant for this reaction is calculated as:
Kₑq = 0.5 = [B]ₑq [C]ₑq / [A]ₑq
Since the initial mixture contains only molecule A, it follows that:
[B]ₑq = [C]ₑq = 1 M - [A]ₑq
Combining these equations and solving for [A]ₑq, we will have:
[A]ₑq = 0.5 M
which means the molecules B and C will also be present at 0.5 M at equilibrium.

The Equilibrium Constant for the Reaction That Breaks Down Each