BRAINCAKEHeterogeneous Systems
In a heterogeneous system the species are in more than one phase. When writing Kc, solids are left out of the expression (and so are pure liquids that are not part of a solution).
The reason is that the concentration of a pure solid is fixed by its density and molar mass. Adding more of the solid does not change its concentration, so it is effectively constant and is included in the value of Kc.
Example 1.
Sign in free to see the rest of this lesson, the R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and the quiz
BrainCake is free. Make an account in seconds and pick up where this page stops.
Key terms in this lesson
- equilibrium constant
- A value, Kc, expressing the ratio of product to reactant concentrations at equilibrium for a reaction at a given temperature.
More in Reversible Reactions and Dynamic Equilibrium
- Limitations of Predictions
- Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Equilibria
- The Equilibrium Law
- Homogeneous Systems
- Industrial Processes
- The Contact Process
- Exam-Style Questions - 1
- Exam-Style Questions - 2
All 18 lessons in Reversible Reactions and Dynamic Equilibrium · All Edexcel AS-level Chemistry topics