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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: msdel on July 18, 2005, 04:45:19 PM

Title: Temperature and equilibrium constants
Post by: msdel on July 18, 2005, 04:45:19 PM

Why is it necessary to specify the temperature when giving a value for Ke?

My thoughts, though they may be way off...

The concentration of solids and liquids do not change at constant temperature, hence they are not included in the equation for Ke.

Some guidance would be great! Thanks

Title: Re:Temperature and equilibrium constants
Post by: Donaldson Tan on July 18, 2005, 04:59:56 PM

Ka is a temperature-dependent constant.

In fact, Ka is ratio of the forward rate constant to the backward rate constant.

Moreover, the rate constants (backward and forward) are exponential function of temperature, according to the Arrhenius Equation.

Hence, you must always specify the equilibrium constant with the corresponding temperature.