Q. 10.21 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Which of the following are at equilibrium?

a. The rate of the forward reaction is twice as fast as the rate of the reverse reaction.

b. The concentrations of the reactants and the products do not change.

c. The rate of the reverse reaction does not change.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(Part a) It is not an equilibrium condition

(Part b) It is an equilibrium condition  

(Part c) It is an equilibrium condition 

Step 1: Introduction (Part a)

Given a set of statements, determine whether they are in equilibrium.

Step 2: Explanation of (a)

a) The forwards reaction rate and the reversing reaction rate are equal in the equilibrium state. This is not an equilibrium condition since the forward reaction rate is twice as fast as the reverse response rate.

Step 3: Explanation of (b)

Equilibrium is a chemical state in which the concentrations of reactants and products have not changed throughout time, implying that the concentrations of reactants and products are constant. It is an equilibrium condition since the concentrations of the reactants and products do not change.

Step 4: Explanation of (c)

The forwards reaction rate and the reversing reaction rate are equal in the equilibrium state. It is an equilibrium state since the rate of the reverse reaction does not vary.