Define equilibrium. Give two examples of a dynamic equilibrium.

Short Answer

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Equilibrium is a state where opposing forces or influences are evenly matched, leading no net change. Dynamic equilibrium refers to a state of balance between continuous processes that happen at equal rates. Example of dynamic equilibrium include a simple chemical reaction in a closed system where the forward and reverse reactions occur at the same rate, resulting in no net change, and the human body maintaining a consistent temperature by balancing heat production and loss.

Step by step solution

01

Define Equilibrium

Equilibrium is a state of balance in which opposing forces or influences are evenly matched, leading to no net change. It applies to various scientific fields, including physics, chemistry, and biology.
02

Define Dynamic Equilibrium

However, in the specific case of dynamic equilibrium, this is a state of balance between continuing processes. It occurs when the rate of forward process is equal to the rate of the reverse process resulting in no net change in the system. These processes continue to happen but the overall properties remain stable because they're happening at equal rates.
03

Provide examples of Dynamic Equilibrium

Example 1: Consider a simple chemical reaction where reactant A is converted into product B, represented as \( A \rightarrow B \). In a closed system, product B can also revert to become reactant A, \( B \rightarrow A \). When the forward reaction (A transforming into B) occurs at the same rate as the reverse reaction (B transforming back into A), the system is said to be in a state of dynamic equilibrium. \n\nExample 2: In a more biological context, human body temperature is an excellent example of dynamic equilibrium. Your body is constantly producing and losing heat, but it manages to keep your body temperature remarkably consistent. This is an example of a dynamic equilibrium because the production and loss of heat are balanced.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The equilibrium constant \(K_{P}\) for the reaction $$ \mathrm{PCl}_{5}(g) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{PCl}_{3}(g)+\mathrm{Cl}_{2}(g) $$ is 1.05 at \(250^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). The reaction starts with a mixture of \(\mathrm{PCl}_{5}, \mathrm{PCl}_{3},\) and \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) at pressures of \(0.177 \mathrm{~atm}\) 0.223 atm, and 0.111 atm, respectively, at \(250^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). When the mixture comes to equilibrium at that temperature, which pressures will have decreased and which will have increased? Explain why.

Consider the equilibrium $$ 2 \mathrm{I}(g) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{I}_{2}(g) $$ What would be the effect on the position of equilibrium of (a) increasing the total pressure on the system by decreasing its volume, (b) adding \(I_{2}\) to the reaction mixture, (c) decreasing the temperature?

At \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\), the equilibrium partial pressures of \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}\) and \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4}\) are \(0.15 \mathrm{~atm}\) and \(0.20 \mathrm{~atm}\), respectively. If the volume is doubled at constant temperature, calculate the partial pressures of the gases when a new equilibrium is established.

Consider this equilibrium system: $$ \mathrm{SO}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{Cl}_{2}(g) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{SO}_{2} \mathrm{Cl}_{2}(g) $$ Predict how the equilibrium position would change if (a) \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) gas were added to the system, (b) \(\mathrm{SO}_{2} \mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) were removed from the system, (c) \(\mathrm{SO}_{2}\) were removed from the system. The temperature remains constant

The equilibrium constant \(K_{P}\) for the following reaction is found to be \(4.31 \times 10^{-4}\) at \(375^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) : $$ \mathrm{N}_{2}(g)+3 \mathrm{H}_{2}(g) \rightleftharpoons 2 \mathrm{NH}_{3}(g) $$ In a certain experiment a student starts with 0.862 atm of \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\) and 0.373 atm of \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\) in a constant-volume vessel at \(375^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). Calculate the partial pressures of all species when equilibrium is reached.

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