## Irreversible vs. Reversible Reactions

$w=-P\Delta V$
and
$w=-\int_{V_{1}}^{V_{2}}PdV=-nRTln\frac{V_{2}}{V_{1}}$

Rachel Yu 1G
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### Irreversible vs. Reversible Reactions

What is the difference between reversible and irreversible reactions besides that different equations are used to solve for w?

Daniel Honeychurch1C
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### Re: Irreversible vs. Reversible Reactions

A reversible reaction can be undone; for example, a compressed gas can expand to its original state if the piston is free to move. An irreversible reaction cannot be undone; for example, a gas is compressed with a piston and then the piston is locked with a pin preventing the gas from expanding.

TarynD_1I
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### Re: Irreversible vs. Reversible Reactions

During reversible reactions, products and reactants are always being made (going back and forth), while in irreversible reactions products can't revert back to what it was as a reactant. I also think that during reversible reactions, the system stays at equilibrium, and during irreversible reactions the system does not stay at equilibrium.
Last edited by TarynD_1I on Wed Jan 29, 2020 8:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Angela Patel 2J
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### Re: Irreversible vs. Reversible Reactions

TarynD_1I wrote:During reversible reactions, products and reactants are always being made (going back and forth), while in irreversible reactions products can't revert back to what it was as a reactant. I also think that during reversible reactions, the system stays at thermodynamic equilibrium, and during irreversible reactions the system does not stay at thermodynamic equilibrium.

What does it mean for something to be at thermodynamic equilibrium?

Anisha Chandra 1K
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### Re: Irreversible vs. Reversible Reactions

During a reversible reaction, a small infinitesimal change can immediately affect the movement of the piston and reversing that small change would also reverse the movement of the piston.

Tiffany_Chen 2K
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### Re: Irreversible vs. Reversible Reactions

A reversible reaction would not increase the entropy of the system or surroundings, as it maintains a thermodynamic equilibrium. A irreversible system is most common, as it takes the reaction away from equilibrium (then energy will need to be put in to reverse the system).

DHavo_1E
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### Re: Irreversible vs. Reversible Reactions

Angela Patel 2J wrote:
TarynD_1I wrote:During reversible reactions, products and reactants are always being made (going back and forth), while in irreversible reactions products can't revert back to what it was as a reactant. I also think that during reversible reactions, the system stays at thermodynamic equilibrium, and during irreversible reactions the system does not stay at thermodynamic equilibrium.

What does it mean for something to be at thermodynamic equilibrium?

Hello,

The system and its surroundings are said to be in thermal equilibrium when the temperatures are the same and energy flows as heat in both directions at the same rate.