When a reaction system has reached chemical equilibrium, the...

Name: Problem 116, Chapter 16: Introductory Chemistry
Uploaded: 2021-04-03T14:36:51-08:00
Duration: 1 min 13 s
Channel: Lottie Adams
Description: When a reaction system has reached chemical equilibrium, the concentrations of the reactants and products no longer changes with time. Why does the amount of product no longer increase, even though large concentrations of the reactants may still be present?

When a reaction system has reached chemical equilibrium, the concentrations of the reactants and products no longer changes with time. Why does the amount of product no longer increase, even though large concentrations of the reactants may still be present?

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Key Concepts

Reaction Kinetics

Reaction kinetics studies how fast reactants are converted into products and vice versa. At equilibrium, the forward and reverse reaction rates are equal, meaning that while reactions are occurring, the speed at which products form equals the speed at which they revert to reactants, maintaining constant concentration levels.

Equilibrium Constant

The equilibrium constant, often denoted as K, quantifies the ratio of product concentrations to reactant concentrations at equilibrium under a given set of conditions. It serves as a measure of the position of equilibrium, indicating the relative amounts of products and reactants present when the reaction rates are balanced.

Chemical Equilibrium

Chemical equilibrium occurs when the forward and reverse reactions in a reversible system occur at equal rates, resulting in constant concentrations of both reactants and products over time. Although reactions continue, their effects cancel out, leading to no net change in the system’s composition.

Dynamic Equilibrium

Dynamic equilibrium is the state where the individual forward and reverse reactions persist simultaneously and continuously, yet the overall concentrations of substances remain unchanged. This highlights that even at equilibrium, molecules are actively reacting, but in a balanced manner.

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