Question

When a system is at dynamic equilibrium,

Answer 1

A system at dynamic equilibrium is a concept in chemistry where a chemical reaction is occurring in both the forward and reverse directions at the same rate, resulting in no net change in the system. The presence of a double arrow in the chemical equation indicates dynamic equilibrium.

Step-by-step explanation:

A system at dynamic equilibrium is a concept in chemistry where a chemical reaction is occurring in both the forward and reverse directions at the same rate. This means that there is no net change in the system over time. Dynamic equilibrium is characterized by the presence of a double arrow in the chemical equation, indicating that both reactions are happening simultaneously.

For example, consider the reaction between nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4).

N2O4(g) <=> 2NO2(g)

In this reaction, nitrogen dioxide molecules are reacting to form dinitrogen tetroxide, and at the same time, dinitrogen tetroxide molecules are decomposing to form nitrogen dioxide. The rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the reverse reaction, resulting in a state of dynamic equilibrium where the concentrations of the reactants and products remain constant over time.

Answer 2

Dynamic equilibrium in chemistry refers to a state in which the forward and reverse reactions occur at equal rates with no net change. Le Châtelier's principle describes how a system responds to external stresses to re-establish equilibrium. In physics, stable equilibrium involves a restoring force upon displacement, whereas unstable equilibrium can lead to increased instability when displaced.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a system is at dynamic equilibrium, it represents a condition in which both the forward and reverse reactions in a chemical process are occurring at equal rates. This state is represented by an equation with a double arrow, showing that the reaction is happening in both directions simultaneously, with no net change in the composition of the system.

A system can be disturbed from this equilibrium by an external 'stress', such as changes in concentration, temperature, or pressure. According to Le Châtelier's principle, the system will shift to counteract the stress and re-establish equilibrium. An example of such a shift is when more reactants are added to the system, resulting in the equilibrium moving to form more products to reduce the concentration of reactants.

Equilibrium also relates to mechanical systems. A system in stable equilibrium will experience a restoring force when displaced, such as a marble in the bottom of a bowl rolling back to the center if pushed. In contrast, an unstable equilibrium involves a system experiencing a force in the same direction as the displacement, potentially leading to further instability.