How do you calculate the units for Kc?

The units for Kc changes depending on the concentrations of each reactant and product in the equation. It can also be possible that there are no units for Kc because the concentrations at the top and the bottom both cancel eachother out. However, in other cases, this is how you would work it out:

The equation for Kc is [PRODUCTS]/[REACTANTS]. Hypothetically, if the equation was: A+ B --> C + 2D, the Kc equation would become: [C] [D] / [A] [B]. You would then replace the letters with the unit for concentration which is moldm-3 so it becomes: [moldm-3] [moldm-3 ]2/ [moldm-3] [moldm-3]. Now you would simplify the top and bottom of the equation, also using the power rules whereby you would add the powers of the concentrations which are multiplied together like so: [moldm-3]3 / [moldm-3]2. Finally, you would cancel the top and the bottom of the reaction by subtracting the total power of the bottom from the total power of the top: in this case, subtracting 2 from 3, this leaves 1 which means the unit is just moldm-3.

HM
Answered by Huma M. Chemistry tutor

59512 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

In what conditions does sodium chloride conduct electricity and why?


Determine Ka of a monohydric acid if the pH=2 and the initial concentration is 0.445 mol/L!


What is the acid dissociation constant, Ka of the 0.150 mol dm–3 solution of weak acid HA with pH of 2.34?


How does a mass spectrometer work?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning