Predict the direction in which the equilibrium will lie for the reaction H₂SO₃(aq) + HCO₃^-(aq) $\rarr$ HSO₃^-(aq) + H₂CO₃(aq) .
K_a1(H₂SO₃) = 1 * 10^-2; K_a1(H₂CO₃) = 4.2 * 10^-7

Question

Predict the direction in which the equilibrium will lie for the reaction H₂SO₃(aq) + HCO₃^-(aq)

\rarr

HSO₃^-(aq) + H₂CO₃(aq) .
K_a1(H₂SO₃) = 1 * 10^-2; K_a1(H₂CO₃) = 4.2 * 10^-7

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The reaction will lie to the right because the equilibrium constant for the reaction is greater than 1. The equilibrium constant is calculated by dividing the product of the equilibrium concentrations of the products by the product of the equilibrium concentrations of the reactants. In this case, the equilibrium constant is K = [HSO3-] [H2CO3] / [H2SO3] [HCO3-]. Since K > 1, the equilibrium will lie to the right, meaning that the products will be favored over the reactants.

Predict the Direction in Which the Equilibrium Will Lie for the Reaction