5.5.3
Reversible Reactions & Directions
After reading these notes, test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
Reversible Reactions
Some chemical reactions are reversible, meaning they can proceed in both forwards and backwards directions.

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
- 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
- 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.
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
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.
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
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.
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
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.
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le Châtelier’s Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail6.9.3Extended Response - Titration6.9.4Titration Calculations6.9.5Titration Curves6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations6.9.8Polyprotic Acids6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
Jump to other topics
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le Châtelier’s Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail6.9.3Extended Response - Titration6.9.4Titration Calculations6.9.5Titration Curves6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations6.9.8Polyprotic Acids6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
Practice questions on Reversible Reactions & Directions
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1What happens to energy during chemical reactions?Multiple choice
- 2
Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium
Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions
Mini-mock exams based on your study history
Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books