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CLASS 10 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE

Equilibrium as a dynamic model – basic principles

How it works

Chemical equilibrium describes a state in a closed system in which the rate of the forward reaction and the reverse reaction are equal. The concentrations of the substances involved then no longer change, although both reactions continue to take place. It is a dynamic equilibrium. The equilibrium can be influenced by changes in concentration and by changes in temperature. Changes in pressure are especially relevant for equilibria involving gases when the number of gas particles differs between reactants and products. In simplified school form, the law of mass action describes the relationship between the equilibrium constant and the concentrations of reactants and products at equilibrium.

Note
In chemical equilibrium, the forward and reverse reactions proceed in a closed system at the same rate, so that the concentrations of the substances involved remain constant, although the reactions continue to take place.

An example

What does it mean when a chemical reaction in a closed system is at equilibrium?

At equilibrium, the forward and reverse reactions take place simultaneously and at the same rate. The concentrations of the substances involved remain constant because both directions of the reaction balance each other out.

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