What Is Equilibrium?
Basically, the term refers to what we might call a “balance of forces”. In the case of mechanical equilibrium, this is its literal definition. A book sitting on a table top remains at rest because the downward force exerted by the earth’s gravity acting on the book’s mass (this is what is meant by the “weight” of the book) is exactly balanced by the repulsive force between atoms that prevents two objects from simultaneously occupying the same space, acting in this case between the table surface and the book. If you pick up the book and raise it above the table top, the additional upward force exerted by your arm destroys the state of equilibrium as the book moves upward. If you wish to hold the book at rest above the table, you adjust the upward force to exactly balance the weight of the book, thus restoring equilibrium. An object is in a state of mechanical equilibrium when it is either static (motionless) or in a state of unchanging motion. From the relation f = ma , it is apparent t
Equilibrium is a state in which no net change is occurring. Something in a state of equilibrium could be considered to be stable, balanced, or unchanging, and such a state is extremely rare, usually only existing for brief periods of time before something disturbs the balance. This concept is very important in the sciences, influencing everything from mathematics to the study of the universe, and there are a number of different types of equilibrium in the sciences. In all cases, the term describes a stable state. Most things tend to change over time, sometimes slowly and sometimes rapidly. The constant tendency to change makes it difficult to establish a state of stability, even when such a state is critically important. In the body, for example, the state of equilibrium known as homeostasis is very desirable, and the body is constantly working to achieve this state. In a simple example of how homeostasis works, cells and their surrounding fluid strive to maintain an isotonic environme
When a chemical reaction takes place in a closed system which prevents the input or removal of any of the components involved in the reaction, the quantities of these chemicals change as some are consumed and others are formed. Eventually this change will stop, after which the reaction composition will remain unchanged as long as the system is not disturbed. The system is then said to be in its equilibrium state, or more simply, “at equilibrium”. A chemical reaction is in equilibrium when there is no tendency for the quantities of reactants and products to change. The direction in which we write a chemical reaction (and thus which components are considered reactants and which are products) is arbitrary. Take the following two equations: Na2CO3 + CaCl2 ->CaCO3 + 2 NaCl and CaCO3 + 2 NaCl -> Na2CO3 + CaCl2 They represent the same chemical reaction system in which the roles of the components are reversed, and both yield the same mixture of components when the change is completed. This las
Equilibrium is more than just balance or equality between a number of entities or measures. The essential feature of equilibrium is the tendency for balance and/or equality. In economics, when supply and demand for a good or service are unequal, there are pressures that will bring them towards equality. When national income and aggregate expenditure are unequal, there will be pressures that will bring them towards equality. The same is true for monetary stock and flows in banking, currencies in international exchange, imports and exports, tax revenues and taxable activity, and so on. Even when there is no balance or equality, it is the tendency towards equilibrium that is distinctive because of market forces, information flows, policy measures. The concept has its origins in biology, When some component of the blood [say] is out of balance, there are physiological and cytological mechanisms that create a tendency towards balance. That is equilibrium. A balance may never be achieved but
Notice after equilibrium is established (3 Ag+ and 3 Cl-) the crystallization and dissolving rates equalize. This is called a DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM. This implies that there is constant change in the particles but overall the concentration and the mass of the solid remains constant. Chemical Equilibrium-The state of balance between 2 opposing reactions. Once equilibrium is established the Concentrations Remain CONSTANT and the Rates are EQUAL. Regents Questions-highlight to reveal answers Question #1 All chemical and physical changes can reach equilibrium.
