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.

Illustrative background for Reversible reactionsIllustrative background for Reversible reactions ?? "content

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).
Illustrative background for Exothermic and endothermic reactionsIllustrative background for Exothermic and endothermic reactions ?? "content

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).
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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.
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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.
Illustrative background for Products to reactantsIllustrative background for Products to reactants ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for EquilibriumIllustrative background for Equilibrium ?? "content

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

1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

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

3.10Halogenoalkanes

4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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