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Chemistry · Glossary

What is Equilibrium state?

Definition 43.3 School Chemistry — Grades 1 to 12 · Chapter 43 — Chemical Equilibrium: Quotient and Constant

A system is in an equilibrium state when its composition no longer changes although both the forward and the reverse reactions are still going on, at the same rate. A reaction that can reach such a state is written with the double arrow ⇌\rightleftharpoons.

The esterification (blue) and the hydrolysis of the ester (orange) reach the same equilibrium composition, from opposite sides. (The time scale is a model; the final value is the measured one.)
The esterification (blue) and the hydrolysis of the ester (orange) reach the same equilibrium composition, from opposite sides. (The time scale is a model; the final value is the measured one.)
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