Equilibrium Constant of a Scaled Reaction
The constant obtained when every coefficient in an equation is multiplied by the same factor.
Formula / equation
K_new = K_old^n
Unit
Various
In depth
Multiplying an equation by n raises the constant to the nth power, because each concentration term is raised to n times its original exponent. Halving an equation therefore takes the square root of K, which is why the equation as written must always accompany a quoted value.
Examples in the real world
If N₂ + 3H₂ ⇌ 2NH₃ has K = 6 × 10⁵, then ½N₂ + 3/2 H₂ ⇌ NH₃ has K = 7.7 × 10².