Q.Dynamic nature of chemical equilibrium with suitable example.
Step 1. Consider (colourless N2O4 converting to reddish-brown NO2) set up in a sealed flask.
Step 2. Initially the forward reaction proceeds and the colour deepens as NO2 forms. As soon as any NO2 is produced, the reverse reaction begins too.
Step 3. Over time the forward rate decreases (N2O4 is used up) and the reverse rate increases (NO2 builds up), until the two rates become exactly equal -- the colour intensity stops changing and the system has reached equilibrium.
Step 4. Even though the colour appears constant, both reactions are still occurring continuously at equal rates -- N2O4 molecules are still converting to NO2, and NO2 molecules are still recombining, at the same rate. This ongoing two-way activity, despite no net change being observable, is what makes the equilibrium 'dynamic' rather than static.
Step 5. The same principle applies to any chemical equilibrium, such as the reversible dissociation of HI into H2 and I2, where analysis at equilibrium always shows all three species present together, however the reaction was started.
Chemical equilibrium is dynamic because the forward and reverse reactions continue simultaneously at equal rates even after the observable composition becomes constant -- illustrated by , where the colour stabilises but molecules keep converting both ways.
Unlock everything free for 14 days
- Full step-by-step solutions
- Concept-first explanations
- Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.