The terms Q and K refer to reaction components at non-equilibrium and equilibrium conditions, respectively. For a forward reaction to be favored in a living cell, which of the following statements describes the relationship between Q and K?
a. The value of Q must be less than that of K.
b. The value of K must be less than that of Q.
c. No conclusion can be drawn about Q and K for a favorable process.
d. Cells are at equilibrium so none of the above statements is true

The value of Q must be less than that of K.

Explanation:

The difference of K and Q can be understood with the help of an example as follows

         A ⇄ B

In this reaction A is converted into B but after some A is converted , forward reaction stops At this point , let equilibrium concentration of B be [B] and let equilibrium concentration of A be [A]

In this case ratio of  [B] and  [A]  that is

K =  [B] / [A] which is called equilibrium constant.

But if we measure the concentration of A and B ,before equilibrium is reached , then the ratio of the concentration of A and B will be called Q. As reaction continues concentration of A increases and concentration of B decreases. Hence Q tends to be equal to K.

Q = [B] / [A] . It is clear that Q < K before equilibrium.

If Q < K , reaction will proceed towards equilibrium or forward reaction will

proceed .

a mercury barometer is a device that uses the physical properties of mercury in a tube to measure barometric pressure. mercury barometers are used for : -

1. measurement of atmospheric pressure  

2. determining the altitude of a place

3. weather forecasting

4. calibration and checking of aneroid barometers

5. application in fluid mechanics

6. measurement of pressure in aircrafts

7. surface weather analysis

8. preparation of barographs

9. usage in physical sciences like physics, astronomy & chemistry

10. preparation of aircraft altimeters

characteristics of mercury barometer : -

1.used to define and measure atmospheric pressure.

2.on the average at sea level the column of mercury rises to a height of about 760 mm.

3.this quantity is equal to 1 atmosphere.

4.it is also known as standard atmospheric pressure.

5.a barometer in which the weight of a column of mercury in a glass tube with a sealed top is balanced against that of the atmosphere pressing on an exposed cistern of mercury at the base of the mercury column, the height of the column varying with atmospheric pressure.