Question

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

Answer 1

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

Explanation:

For the generalized equilibrium reaction.....

`A+B rightleftharpoons C+D`

Now there is a `"rate forward"=k_f[A][B]`, where `k_f` is some unspecified rate constant...

And a `"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]`

And thus `k_f/k_r=([C][D])/([A][B])`

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

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