Reversible reaction

A chemical reaction that proceeds in both forward and reverse directions, allowing products to reform reactants. Its composition can reach a dynamic equilibrium when both directions occur at equal rates.

Law of mass action: A principle relating reaction rates or equilibrium composition to the activities of reacting substances. It quantifies how reactant and product concentrations influence the opposing reaction rates.
Chemical reaction: A process in which substances are transformed into other substances through changes in chemical bonds. Reversibility is a property of chemical reactions, distinguishing those that proceed in both directions.
Haber process: An industrial process that synthesizes ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen over an iron-based catalyst. Its ammonia-producing reaction is reversible, so operating conditions balance yield and reaction rate.
Irreversible reaction: A reaction treated as proceeding effectively in one direction under specified conditions. It contrasts with reactions whose products readily reform reactants.
Equilibrium constant: A quantity expressing the ratio of product to reactant activities at chemical equilibrium for a specified reaction. It describes the equilibrium composition established by a reversible reaction at a given temperature.
Chemical kinetics: The study of reaction rates and the mechanisms by which chemical reactions occur. Forward and reverse rates determine whether a reversible reaction approaches equilibrium quickly or slowly.
Contact process: An industrial method for producing sulfuric acid by oxidizing sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide. The reversible oxidation step makes temperature and pressure choices central to production.
Complete reaction: A reaction that consumes nearly all of a limiting reactant under the stated conditions. A reversible reaction may instead leave substantial amounts of both reactants and products at equilibrium.
Reaction quotient: A ratio of product to reactant activities calculated from a reaction mixture's current composition. Comparing it with the equilibrium constant predicts which direction the reaction will proceed.
Reaction rate: The change in concentration of a reactant or product per unit time during a chemical reaction. A reversible reaction has separate forward and reverse rates.

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