In physical chemistry, equilibrium is studied by looking at how reactions settle into a balanced state where the amounts of reactants and products stay constant over time, even though reactions are still happening.
Key ideas:
- Chemical Equilibrium – The forward reaction and reverse reaction happen at the same rate. The system doesn’t change overall.
- Equilibrium Position – Scientists see whether more products or more reactants are present at equilibrium.
- Le Châtelier’s Principle – If you change conditions like concentration, pressure, or temperature, the system will adjust to restore balance.
- Thermodynamics – Equilibrium can be understood in terms of energy. Reactions tend to reach the lowest energy state.
- Experimental Methods – Chemists measure concentrations, pressure, color, or other properties to study equilibrium.
- Other Types – Equilibrium isn’t just for reactions; it also happens in solutions, acids and bases, gases, and different phases (solid, liquid, gas).
Basically, studying equilibrium is about understanding how and why chemical systems stay balanced and how they respond when things change.