Dynamic equilibrium is a state in which a reversible reaction occurs, and the substances involved transition between the reactants and products at equal rates, resulting in no net change in the system. This concept can be applied to both physical and chemical processes. In a single-phase system, such as an acid-base equilibrium, the concentration of the reactants and products remains constant at equilibrium, and the rates of the forward and backward reactions are equal. Similarly, in a gas phase, dynamic equilibrium can occur when nitrogen dioxide dimerizes.
Some key points about dynamic equilibrium are:
- It only occurs in reversible reactions, where the forward and reverse reactions are still occurring, but the two rates are equal and unchanging.
- The concentrations or partial pressures of all species involved in the process remain constant once dynamic equilibrium is established.
- Dynamic equilibrium is different from static equilibrium, where the reaction in a system is completely halted, and there is no movement between the reactants and products.
