What is true about a system in chemical equilibrium?

There are certain statements that are true about systems in chemical equilibrium which is very important in Chemistry and this help in understanding how to get maximum yield of products from chemical reactions.

A system in chemical equilibrium has some basic features that do distinguish it from other systems and can help us understand the shift in equilibrium when external constraints are imposed.

This reemphasizes the fact that the equilibrium system in Chemistry is mainly dynamic since changes in external constraints do affect the equilibrium position.

What is true about a system in equilibrium?

  1. A system in chemical equilibrium must be reversible that is has both forward and backward reaction.
  2. A system in chemical equilibrium only occurs when the system is closed (occurs only in a closed system)
  3. A system in chemical equilibrium is not affected by the presence of a catalyst (that is the equilibrium position is not dependent on the presence of catalyst)
  4. A system in chemical equilibrium has both forward reaction and backward reaction occurring at the same rate.
  5. A system in chemical equilibrium has the concentrations of reactants and products constant

What is misleading about a system in equilibrium?

There are certain misnomers about a system in dynamic chemical equilibrium that we need to reemphasize.

 I am going to reemphasize on these statements so you can get full understanding of chemical equilibrium in Chemistry

  1. A system in chemical equilibrium do not have the concentration of reactants and products same.
  2. A system in equilibrium do not have the equilibrium position favoured by the presence of catalysts.
  3. A system in dynamic chemical equilibrium do not occur in an open system.

I will need to emphasize and explain on these statements so it will help us understand the statements that are true for a system in equilibrium.

What are true about a system in chemical equilibrium?

Statement 1: A system in chemical equilibrium must be reversible, so that will have both forward and backward reaction.

A system in chemical equilibrium must be reversible, so that will proceed in both directions having both forward and backward reactions.

It is only when a reaction can boast of forward and backward reaction that we can talk about the rates of forward and backward reactions occurring at the same rate and thus even talk about equilibrium in chemical reactions.

Statement 2: A system in chemical equilibrium only occurs when the system is closed (occurs only in a closed system)

A chemical system in equilibrium can only occur in a closed system because equilibrium cannot be attained in an open system.

A system only attains equilibrium in a closed system and then we can have rate of forward reaction equals backward reaction.

Statement 3: A system in chemical equilibrium is not affected by the presence of a catalyst (that is the equilibrium position is not dependent on the presence of catalyst)

A system in dynamic equilibrium is not affected by the presence of catalysts and thus the position of equilibrium is not affected by the by the presence of catalyst.

A catalyst however only increases the rate of the favored reaction, and this leads to maximum yield of products when other conditions are met.

Step 4: A system in chemical equilibrium has both forward reaction and backward reaction occurring at the same rate.

A chemical system in dynamic chemical equilibrium only attains equilibrium when the rate of forward reaction equals the rate of backward reaction.

Actually, when the chemical reaction starts, the rate of forward reaction may not be equal to the rate of backward reaction but with time, equilibrium will be attained and then the rates of forward and backward reaction become equal.

Step 5: A system in chemical equilibrium has the concentrations of reactants and products constant.

A system in dynamic equilibrium has both the concentrations of reactants and products constant but not the same.

Please it is important to note that this take place when the rate of forward and backward reaction is equal, and the concentrations do not necessarily need to be same.

In conclusion, these statements are true about a system in dynamic chemical equilibrium and understanding the concept of equilibrium in Chemistry help us to know how to calculate yields of products.

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