Reaction Quotient and Equilibrium Constant
The reaction quotient Q and equilibrium constant K are built the same way — products over reactants, each concentration raised to its coefficient — but Q uses current values while K is the value at equilibrium. As a reaction proceeds, Q moves toward K, and when they meet, the system is at equilibrium.
The central error is building the quotient wrong — inverting products and reactants, or misusing the coefficients as exponents. Q and K share the same expression; only the concentrations (current vs equilibrium) differ.
The work
3 ways in · any order
Lesson
Q and K
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Q and K share one expression (products over reactants, exponents from coefficients); Q moves toward K over time. The lesson builds the quotient correctly, then closes with a ten-scenario check.
Diagnostic
10-item topic check
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Ten items spanning the Topic 7.3 misconception: the reaction quotient built incorrectly — products and reactants inverted or coefficients misused as exponents.
Targeted Practice
Drill a single misconception
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Pick one of the failure modes you missed and drill it on its own. The round is adaptive: two correct in a row clears the misconception and moves you to the next.