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Chemistry vocabulary · Energy, Reaction Rates and Equilibrium

Chemical equilibrium

Meaning in chemistry, with examples

nounCommon term

In chemistry, chemical equilibrium means: The state of a reversible reaction in which the forward and reverse reactions run at the same rate, so the amounts of reactants and products stay constant.

In Turkish: kimyasal denge

How it is used

Used in general, physical and analytical chemistry. A system reaches or is at equilibrium, and the equilibrium position shifts to the left or right. It is dynamic, because both reactions keep going. The double arrow ⇌ shows it.

Example sentences

  1. At chemical equilibrium, the concentrations no longer change, but both reactions continue.

  2. The esterification reaches chemical equilibrium after several hours.

Common collocations

  • reach equilibrium
  • at equilibrium
  • equilibrium position
  • shift the equilibrium
  • dynamic equilibrium
  • equilibrium constantA number, K, that relates the concentrations or pressures of the products to those of the reactants when a reaction is at equilibrium. A large value means the products are favored.
  • Le Chatelier's principleThe rule that when a system at equilibrium is disturbed by a change in concentration, pressure or temperature, the equilibrium shifts in the direction that reduces the effect of the change.
  • reaction rateHow fast reactants are used up or products are formed, usually measured as a change in concentration per unit time, for example in mol/L per second.
  • catalystA substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being used up. It works by offering a different pathway with a lower activation energy.

More terms: Energy, Reaction Rates and Equilibrium

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