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Properties of the Equilibrium Constant

Manipulating a reaction changes its K by fixed rules. Reversing a reaction inverts K (K → 1/K). Multiplying a reaction by a factor n raises K to that power (K → Kn). Adding reactions multiplies their K values (K = K₁ × K₂). These let you build a target reaction's K from known ones.

UNIT 7 TOPIC 7.6 • PROPERTIES OF THE EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANT K MANIPULATOR 1. REVERSE REACTION 2. MULTIPLY REACTION 3. ADD REACTIONS A ⇌ B K = 8.0 B ⇌ A K = 1/8.0 = 0.125 Reversing a reaction inverts K. A ⇌ B K = 8.0 2A ⇌ 2B K = (8.0)² = 64 Multiplying coefficients raises K to that power. A ⇌ B K₁ B ⇌ C K₂ A ⇌ C Ktotal = K₁ × K₂ Adding reactions multiplies their equilibrium constants. CED ANCHOR K changes predictably when equations are reversed, multiplied, or added — these rules follow from how species cancel in the K expressions. AP Chemistry · Unit 7 · Equilibrium
When you manipulate a reaction, K changes by fixed rules: reversing a reaction inverts K (K becomes 1/K), multiplying a reaction by n raises K to the nth power, and adding reactions multiplies their K values together.
K Manipulator · Open the sandbox →

The trap confuses the manipulation rules — for instance, adding K values when reactions are combined (they multiply), or multiplying K when a reaction is scaled (it takes a power). Reverse inverts, scale exponentiates, add multiplies.

The work

3 ways in · any order
Lesson
Properties of K

Reversing inverts K, scaling raises it to a power, and adding reactions multiplies K values. The lesson applies the three manipulation rules, then closes with a ten-scenario check.

Skill check · 10 scenarios
Diagnostic
10-item topic check

Ten items spanning the Topic 7.6 misconception: the K manipulation rules confused — reverse, scale, and add-reactions rules mixed up.

Not started · 10 items · ~15 min
Targeted Practice
Drill a single misconception

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.

Take the diagnostic to identify your misconceptions