When do you square equilibrium constants?

[Ash366]

in a complex rxn, when multiplying to cancel out intermediates the Keq2 gets squared. Ex) keq1 X Keq ^2.
Can you explain when this happens. So basically if I multiply everything by 2, I must square Keq2 by 2? What if I multiply everything by 5. Does it mean I square it by 5? I don't believe so. Thanks.

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[Buzzin]

I BELIEVE multiplying by 2 means all your concentrations are multiplied by 2 so when you write your equilibrium expression, Keq, you have to account for the new coefficients which is why you must now square the concentrations. The exponents in your Keq must match the coefficients in your balanced equation. So if you multiplied coefficients by 5, then YES you would have to compensate with the exponent.

 

[Ash366]

Yes I agree with you. I figured it out from a website. So even if you divide by 2, you will have to get the square root of the Keq. Thank you.