Use any one of the phase changes to explain what is meant by dynamic equilibrium.

Short Answer

Expert verified
A dynamic equilibrium refers to a state where two processes happen at equal rates, causing no net change. For the phase change between liquid and gas (evaporation and condensation), a dynamic equilibrium state occurs when the rates of evaporation and condensation become equal, yielding no net change in the amounts of liquid and gas in a closed system.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Dynamic Equilibrium

Dynamic equilibrium occurs when the rate of one process equals the rate of its reverse process. Both the forward and reverse reactions continue happening, but there's no net change because they're at the same rate.
02

Picking a Relevant Phase Change

The phase change between liquid and gas (evaporation and condensation) demonstrates dynamic equilibrium well. A liquid in a closed container will evaporate until the concentration of gas particles above the liquid reaches a certain level.
03

Applying Dynamic Equilibrium to Phase Change

As more particles evaporate from the liquid, some gas particles will also condense back into the liquid. After a while, the rate of evaporation equals the rate of condensation, and the amounts of liquid and gas stop changing. This state is the dynamic equilibrium state.

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