5.5.3

Reversible Reactions & Directions

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Reversible Reactions

Some chemical reactions are reversible, meaning they can proceed in both forwards and backwards directions.

Reversible reactions

Reversible reactions

  • A + B ⇌ C + D
    • The reactants (A + B) can combine to give the products (C + D).
    • The products (C + D) can combine to give the reactants (A + B).
Exothermic and endothermic reactions

Exothermic and endothermic reactions

  • If the forward reaction is exothermic (transfers energy from reactants to the environment), the backward reaction will be endothermic (transfers energy from the environment to the reactants).
Conservation of energy

Conservation of energy

  • Energy is conserved during chemical reactions.
  • The energy released/absorbed by the forward reaction will be exactly equal to the energy absorbed/released by the backward reaction.
Reactants to products

Reactants to products

  • There is a net conversion of reactants to products if:
    • The rate of the forward reaction is greater than the rate of the backwards reaction.
Products to reactants

Products to reactants

  • There is a net conversion of products to reactants if:
    • The rate of the reverse reaction is greater than the rate of the forward reaction.
Equilibrium

Equilibrium

  • The reaction reaches equilibrium when the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equal.
  • No changes are observed in a system at equilibrium.
Jump to other topics
1

Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2

Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3

Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1

The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2

Periodic Trends

3.3

Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4

Halogens

3.5

Noble gases, group 18

3.6

Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7

Functional Group Chemistry

3.8

Alkanes

3.9

Alcohols

3.10

Halogenoalkanes

4

Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5

Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6

Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7

Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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