Chemistry: difference between reaction and equilibrium

The tutor explains the distinction between reaction and equilibrium.

A reaction is stated as

reactants→products

An example:

C3H8 + 5O2→3CO2+4H2O

A reaction is thought to proceed until at least one of the left side ingredients is gone.

An equilibrium is stated as

reactants ⇌ products

An example:

3H2 + N2 ⇌ 2NH3

The ⇌ symbol denotes equilibrium, and suggests that the process works both ways: the molecules on the right side can act in reverse and become the ones on the left. Because some molecules are transforming from left to right, while others are transforming in the reverse direction, the system, after some time passes, arrives at a steady state with a constant proportion of molecules either side. The specific proportion depends on temperature.

Why some chemical transformations are reactions, while others form equilibrium, I’ll explain in a coming post:)

Source:

Mortimer, Charles E. Chemistry, 6th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth, 1986.

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.

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