Profile
Settings
Refer your friends
Sign out
In a dynamic equilibrium, the rate of loss is equal to the rate of gain in a given time period.
Chemical reactions can occur in only one direction or in both directions, i.e. forward and backward.
They can also occur simultaneously. Forward reactions are those that only proceed in one way, whereas reversible reactions are those that can only go in two directions at the same time.
The following arrows indicate the direction to be taken in each case:
H+(aq) + OH- (aq) H2O(l)
A chemical reaction in which the rate of the reactants is the same as the rate of the products produced in the reverse direction.
When the rate at which the reactants are transformed into products and the rate at which the products are turned into reactants is equal and constant, a reaction is said to be in dynamic equilibrium.
As a result, equilibrium is defined as the state of equal and opposite rate, but with unequal concentration of the two variables.
Dynamic equilibrium functions
Equilibrium is achieved when there is no change in the ratio of products to reactants in a reversible reaction, which is defined as a reaction that can run in both directions.
Due to the fact that the concentrations of products and reactants are constant, the overall picture of chemical equilibrium is static.
The reaction is flowing in both directions at the same rate in both directions, which indicates that equilibrium is actually a fairly dynamic process when examined in greater detail.
A steady state function is a function that maintains a constant value across time.
When a system is in a steady state, the behaviour that is currently observed continues into the future.
Consequently, once an equilibrium has been attained in a reaction, the ratio of product to reactant concentrations will remain constant throughout the duration of that reaction.
Overview of the concept of dynamic equilibrium
During the operation of a system in a state of ‘dynamic equilibrium,’ there is a degree of tension between opposing forces that is intentional and designed to deliver the best possible results.
Consider the following scenario in real life: you have a kettle of water on the stove that you are heating to boil some potatoes.
Once the water has reached boiling point, you can add the potatoes, which causes the temperature to decrease a little bit more.
As the heat continues to rise, the water begins to boil once more, and before you know it, the water is boiling over the side of the pan and spilling out.
You must swiftly regulate the heat, bringing it down a little at a time, until you can reach the point at which the water continues to boil without becoming overboiling.
You can also change the lid on the pot to enable some of the internal pressure in this ‘closed system’ to escape, which will aid in the establishment of the most favourable set of circumstances to achieve your objective.
That is the point of dynamic equilibrium, the point at which the potatoes are cooked to their greatest level of effectiveness.
Conclusion
A steady state function is a function that maintains a constant value across time. When a system is in a steady state, the behaviour that is currently observed continues into the future. The ratio of product to reactant concentrations will therefore remain constant once a reaction has reached equilibrium, regardless of how long the reaction proceeds.
