Question

The equilibrium constant increases when _____________

(a) Initial concentration of reactant increases in endothermic reactions

(b) Initial concentration of reactant decreases in endothermic reactions

(c) Temperature increases in exothermic reactions

(d) Temperature decreases in exothermic reactions

I got this question in homework.

Enquiry is from Reversible Reactions Rate Laws in section Rate Laws and Stoichiometry of Chemical Reaction Engineering

Answer 1

Right option is (d) Temperature decreases in exothermic reactions

To explain: Equilibrium constant is independent of the initial reactant concentration. It only depends on temperature. As temperature rises, equilibrium constant increases for an endothermic reaction and decreases for an exothermic reaction. In both these cases the reverse happens when the temperature falls.