Characteristics of Equilibrium Constant

The expression of equilibrium constant depends upon the manner in which the chemical equation representing it is written.

The equilibrium constant of a reaction has a constant and characteristic value at a given temperature. The changes in starting concentration, pressure and the presence of a catalyst do not change the value of the equilibrium constant. However if the temperature is changed. The value of the equilibrium constant also changes.

The magnitude of the equilibrium constant is a measure of the extent up to which a reaction proceeds before the equilibrium is reached. The magnitude of K is large when the products are present in larger amounts than the reactants in the equilibrium mixture. Thus, the magnitude of equilibrium constant tells us about the position of the equilibrium.