What happens in a dynamic equilibrium exits in a reaction?

1 Answer
Jul 24, 2017

#"Option (b) is the answer I would choose......."#

Explanation:

Consider the hypothetical reaction:

#A+BrightleftharpoonsC+D#

Now there is a forward rate.......

#"Rate forward"=k_f[A][B]#

And there is a reverse rate.......

#"Rate backwards"=k_r[C][D]#.

The condition of chemical equilibrium does not specify the cessation of chemical change; it does specify equality of FORWARD and REVERSE rates.

#"Rate forward"="Rate backward"#, and so.........

#k_f[A][B]-=k_r[C][D]#.......and so......

#k_f/k_r=([C][D])/([A][B])#

We commonly call the #k_f/k_r# quotient as #K_"eq"#, the # "thermodynamic equilibrium constant"#, which is usually independent of temperature.