Hey everyone. I have a quick question.
TBR gives an example question about equilibrium (K & Q):
When the reaction quotient is greater than the equilibrium constant, which of the following is NOT true?
A. The system has too many products and too few reactants.
B. The reaction is displaced from equilibrium.
C. The reaction must shift in the forward direction to reach equilibrium.
D. The reverse reaction rate is greater than the forward reaction rate.
The answer is choice C, which I understand. However, I am a bit confused about choice D. If the reverse reaction rate is GREATER than the forward reaction rate, shouldn't choice D be a valid answer as well? If K < Q as this question indicates, there is too much product and too little reactant. If the reverse reaction rate is greater than the forward, wouldn't that mean that there should be less product and more reactant?
I feel that my understanding of the word "greater" may be incorrect, which is the only possibility that I see. I am assuming that the word greater means "faster". When they refer to a reaction rate being greater, do they actually mean that the numerical value of kr is larger, and thus slower?
I just wanted to make sure that I misunderstood their use of "greater", and that this isn't a mistake.
Thanks!
TBR gives an example question about equilibrium (K & Q):
When the reaction quotient is greater than the equilibrium constant, which of the following is NOT true?
A. The system has too many products and too few reactants.
B. The reaction is displaced from equilibrium.
C. The reaction must shift in the forward direction to reach equilibrium.
D. The reverse reaction rate is greater than the forward reaction rate.
The answer is choice C, which I understand. However, I am a bit confused about choice D. If the reverse reaction rate is GREATER than the forward reaction rate, shouldn't choice D be a valid answer as well? If K < Q as this question indicates, there is too much product and too little reactant. If the reverse reaction rate is greater than the forward, wouldn't that mean that there should be less product and more reactant?
I feel that my understanding of the word "greater" may be incorrect, which is the only possibility that I see. I am assuming that the word greater means "faster". When they refer to a reaction rate being greater, do they actually mean that the numerical value of kr is larger, and thus slower?
I just wanted to make sure that I misunderstood their use of "greater", and that this isn't a mistake.
Thanks!