A chemical system is said to be in dynamic equilibrium when
- A. both reactions have stopped completely
- B. the forward and reverse reactions continue at equal rates
- C. the amounts of reactants and products are equal
- D. all the reactants have been converted to products
Explanation
The word dynamic means both reactions are still running; they simply cancel out, so the concentrations stay constant while molecules continue to convert in both directions. Equal concentrations of reactant and product are not required and are usually not the case, which is the standard misconception. Equilibrium can only be reached in a closed system.