How are dynamic equilibrium and reversible reactions connected to one another?

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How are dynamic equilibrium and reversible reactions connected to one another?

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Answer 1 · 2017-08-29T19:38:09

$Dynamic equilibria are examples of reversible reactions.....$ $"Dynamic equilibria are examples of reversible reactions....."$

Explanation:

For the generalized equilibrium reaction.....

$A + B ⇌ C + D$ $A+B rightleftharpoons C+D$

Now there is a $rate forward = k_{f} [A] [B]$ $"rate forward"=k_f[A][B]$ , where $k_{f}$ $k_f$ is some unspecified rate constant...

And a $rate backward = k_{r} [C] [D]$ $"rate backward"=k_r[C][D]$ .....

Now by definition, equilibrium does NOT ENTAIL cessation of chemical change, but EQUALITY of FORWARD and REVERSE RATES. And so.....

$k_{f} [A] [B] = k_{r} [C] [D]$ $k_f[A][B]=k_r[C][D]$

And thus $\frac{k_{f}}{k_{r}} = \frac{[C] [D]}{[A] [B]}$ $k_f/k_r=([C][D])/([A][B])$

And $\frac{k_{f}}{k_{r}}$ $k_f/k_r$ is otherwise known as $K_{eq}$ $K_"eq"$ , the thermodynamic equilibrium constant, which must be measured for a particular reaction. And thus if $K_{eq}$ $K_"eq"$ is NUMERICALLY LARGE, the products are favoured at equilibrium, and if $K_{eq}$ $K_"eq"$ is NUMERICALLY SMALL, the reactants are favoured at equilibrium.

And thus equilibrium reactions are necessarily reversible. ARE you happy with this treatment?

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How are dynamic equilibrium and reversible reactions connected to one another?

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