What happens to the rates of reaction at equilibrium?

Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
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What happens to the rates of reaction at equilibrium?

 

 

Expert Solution
Step 1: Equilibrium

Equilibrium refers to a situation at which no observable changes in the concentration of both reactants and products occur. 

Therefore, it is believed that both the forward reaction and the reverse reaction are stopped at equilibrium,.

Step 2: Rates
  • Initially, reactant molecules are present in the system. Therefore, the forward reaction only occurs in the system.
  • After some time, product molecules are produced. Now, these product molecules again react with each other and gets converted to reactant molecules (reverse reaction).
  • Hence, at the initial stage, the rate of the reverse reaction is slower as compared to the rate of the forward reaction as the reactant molecules have higher concentrations and the product molecules have lower concentrations.
  • With the progress of the reaction, more and more reactant molecules get converted to product molecules result in a decrease in the forward reaction rate and an increase in the reverse reaction rate.
  • At equilibrium, both reaction rates become the same. Therefore, it seems that the reaction is stopped at equilibrium but actually it is not.
  • This type of situation is also called a dynamic equilibrium.

 

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