Answer to Question #110445 in Physical Chemistry for Abhishek Maharana

Question

What is reaction quotient and how is it helpful in determining the direction of a
given reaction?

Answer 1

The reaction quotient (Q) measures the relative amounts of products and reactants present during a reaction at a particular point in time. The reaction quotient helps in figuring out which direction a reaction is likely to proceed, given either the pressures or the concentrations of the reactants and the products.

Direction of the reaction is determined by the value of the reaction quotient. If the value increases it means that the product side is added, this shifts reaction backwards.

If the value decreases it means that the reactant side is added, this shifts reaction forwards.