In theory, all reactions are reversible, but in practice, some are not. Explain why.

Name: Problem 131, Chapter 14: Introductory Chemistry Atoms First
Uploaded: 2022-03-04T21:17:52-08:00
Duration: 1 min 3 s
Channel: David Collins
Description: In theory, all reactions are reversible, but in practice, some are not. Explain why.

step 1 For this question, it mentions that in theory, all reactions are reversible, but in practice, so

In theory, all reactions are reversible, but in practice,...

Key Concepts

Product Removal or Separation Effects

In some practical scenarios, one or more products of a reaction may be continuously removed (for instance, as a gas or precipitate) or may form a stable complex. This removal shifts the equilibrium far to the product side, effectively preventing the reverse reaction, despite the theoretical possibility of reversibility.

Activation Energy Barriers

Activation energy is the minimum energy required for a reaction to proceed. In many cases, the reverse reaction has a significantly higher activation energy barrier than the forward reaction, meaning that even if the reaction is reversible in theory, the reverse pathway is suppressed under typical conditions.

Thermodynamic Driving Force

The thermodynamic driving force is determined by the change in Gibbs free energy during a reaction. When a reaction is highly exergonic, the forward reaction is energetically favored to such an extent that the reverse reaction requires input of energy not readily available, rendering it virtually irreversible in practice.

Reaction Kinetics

Reaction kinetics deals with the rates at which chemical reactions occur. Even if a reverse reaction is thermodynamically possible, it may proceed extremely slowly due to high kinetic barriers, so slow in fact that it is effectively unobservable or impractical under normal conditions.

Chemical Equilibrium

Chemical equilibrium refers to the dynamic state during a reversible reaction where the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equal. Although a reaction may be theoretically reversible, the position of equilibrium might be heavily skewed toward the product side, making the reverse reaction negligible in practical terms.

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