Physical Chemistry explores the principles of chemistry and physics to understand the behavior of matter at a molecular and atomic level.
Chemical equilibrium is when a reversible reaction happens at the same rate in both directions, so the amounts of reactants and products stay constant over time.
Even though the reaction appears still, reactants are turning into products and vice versa at equal rates. This is called dynamic equilibrium.
If you disturb an equilibrium (by changing concentration, temperature, or pressure), the system will adjust to counteract the change.
The ratio of product concentrations to reactant concentrations at equilibrium is called the equilibrium constant (\(K\)):
\[ K = \frac{[\text{Products}]}{[\text{Reactants}]} \]
Sealed soda bottles show equilibrium between dissolved and gaseous CO₂.
Changing the temperature of a reaction can shift the balance of products and reactants.
At equilibrium, reactions happen in both directions at equal rates, keeping concentrations stable.