Final answer:
Dynamic equilibrium is essential in the chemical industry for efficient and continuous production. Disturbance of equilibrium can lead to increased costs, reduced efficiency, incomplete reactions, and creation of unwanted byproducts, which can be harmful to the environment and human health.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Dynamic Equilibrium Can Be Harmful to the Chemical Industry
Chemical equilibrium is a dynamic process involving ongoing forward and reverse reactions that proceed at equal rates when the system is at equilibrium. This balance is crucial for processes such as the Haber-Bosch process for synthesizing ammonia (NH3). Any alteration can shift the equilibrium, which may lead to undesirable outcomes. For instance, in the chemical industry, maintaining equilibrium is essential for efficient and continuous production with minimal waste. If equilibrium is disturbed by adding or removing reactants or products, or changes in temperature, it forces the system out of its original balanced state. The industry must then expend additional resources to re-establish equilibrium, which can increase costs and reduce efficiency. In some cases, disturbance of equilibrium can lead to incomplete reactions and the formation of unwanted byproducts, which can be hazardous to both the environment and human health. Furthermore, continuous removal of a desired product from the reaction mixture, as in the case of NH3 in the Haber-Bosch process, can drive the reaction to completion, but it requires careful control to prevent the exhaustion of reactants and disruption of the entire process.