What do you think about the answer to this question (1 Viewer)

[Alfred_rulz]

Question: How do scientists check if the reaction is at an equilibrium.

 

[xiao1985]

all reactions are theoretically in equilibrium... just some are soo to the product side, that we can effectively consider them to be going to completion...

 

[Aerlinn]

That's true. Though to 'check' a reaction's indeed at equilibrium, you can do things like add radioactive reactants, and after awhile discover that they become part of the products. That's when you know the whole thing hasn't simply stopped, but is actually in equilibrium.

 

[kony]

all reactions are theoretically in equilibrium... just some are soo to the product side, that we can effectively consider them to be going to completion...

what about if it is still changing its position on the equilibrium scale, but its macroscopic properties remain the same?

 

[watatank]

By changing the properties of the system and see if this creates more or less products?

 

[kony]

i was just saying: not all reactions are in equilibrium, despite seeming so. hence the need to find out whether it is or not.

 

[xiao1985]

ohh... if by equilibrium, you mean that forward and backward reaction rate equal to each other, then:

theoretically, no reactions are in equilibrium... but practially, as long as there are no macroscopic change, effectively the reaction is in equilibrium...