Hi, how do I know which is product and which is reactant, when there are just plus signs? Or just arrows?

Like 2NO2(g)⇌N2O4(g) or when it's like this...CO2 (aq) + H2O (l)⇌H (aq) + HCO3. THANK YOU VERY MUCH:):):)

1 Answer
Mar 29, 2018

By convention we focus on the forward reaction when we write the equilibrium constant. That is, the products are by convention on the right.

2NO2(g)N2O4(g)

Kc=[products][reactants]=[N2O4][NO2]2

CO2(aq)+H2O(l)H+(aq)+HCO3(aq)

Kc=[products][reactants]=[H+][HCO3][CO2]