Advanced Chemistry and Thermodynamics

Adding an inert gas like argon to a reaction at constant volume increases the total pressure but doesn't shift the equilibrium, because the concentrations of the reacting gases remain unchanged.

By calculating a reaction's 'quotient' (Q) at any moment and comparing it to its equilibrium constant (K), chemists can predict the direction the reaction needs to shift to reach equilibrium.

While changes in concentration or pressure can shift a chemical equilibrium, only a change in temperature will alter the actual value of the equilibrium constant, K.

A catalyst can make a chemical reaction reach equilibrium much faster, but it has no effect on the final mixture of products and reactants.