If Kc > 1, which is true?

If Kc > 1, which is true?

• A. Reactants are favored
• B. The reaction proceeds to completion
• C. No reaction occurs
• D. Products are favored at equilibrium

Answer: (D)

The key idea is how the equilibrium constant tells you where the balance lies between products and reactants at a given temperature. When Kc is greater than one, the product terms dominate the ratio [products]^coeff / [reactants]^coeff, so to satisfy this greater-than-one value, the system shifts toward more products. That means the equilibrium position lies to the right, and products are favored at equilibrium. It doesn’t mean the reaction goes to completion—some reactants remain in the mixture, especially if Kc isn’t extremely large. The other statements would require a Kc less than one (reactants favored) or would imply complete conversion, which isn’t what a finite Kc > 1 guarantees.

The key idea is how the equilibrium constant tells you where the balance lies between products and reactants at a given temperature. When Kc is greater than one, the product terms dominate the ratio [products]^coeff / [reactants]^coeff, so to satisfy this greater-than-one value, the system shifts toward more products. That means the equilibrium position lies to the right, and products are favored at equilibrium. It doesn’t mean the reaction goes to completion—some reactants remain in the mixture, especially if Kc isn’t extremely large. The other statements would require a Kc less than one (reactants favored) or would imply complete conversion, which isn’t what a finite Kc > 1 guarantees.