What does reversible mean?

Reversible is a term used for certain reactions that never reach a final stage. So imagine we have A and B reacting together to form C, and we say that this reaction is reversible. So at a point in time, in the container where we mixed the two reactants in order to create C, we have all three componenents - that is A, B and C. How much of each component we have at that time depends on the kind of reversible reaction. If a reaction is irreversible and goes to completion then at that point when the reaction is complete we would only have C in the container. However, for reversible reactions, C can go back to being A and B on its own and that is why the reaction is reversible and in the container all three components can be found at a time point.

Answered by Antonis T. Chemistry tutor

1547 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Why is Chlorine a gas at room temperature but Sodium Chloride is a solid?


Name a suitable chemical used to convert propanol to propanoic acid?


The same mass of large, medium and small marbles where reacted separately with diluted HCl. This is and exothermic reaction. Will the rise in temperature for each reaction differ? If yes than why?


Ammonia is made from nitrogen and hydrogen in a reversible reaction. Write a balanced symbol equation for this reaction, name the reaction and give one use for ammonia.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy