reversible vs irreversible

[Nicole Ju 3H]

Hi,

Can someone please explain what a reversible process is, and why a system at equilibrium is reversible? Why is it not reversible if the pressures are different?

Thanks!

[Aditya Desai 1A]

It's not so much that the change cannot be undone so much as we as scientists have arbitrarily named processes where the pressures are infinitesimally close 'reversible' and if they are definitively distant then they are 'irreversible.' I think the process can still be undone, but these are just words.

[Isabella Yee 1F]

A reversible process is when a reaction can go from reactants to products, as well as from products to reactants. A system at equilibrium is reversible because the forward and reverse reactions are occurring at an equal rate such that there is no net movement of reactants or products.

[Misha_Khan_2H]

A process or reaction is reversible if it can go both ways, R-->P and R<--P, ie it can form both products and reactants. An irreversible process is one which can go only one way (R-->P), once reactants are converted into products they cannot be gained back.
A system at equilibrium is reversible as both Reactants and Products are being formed constantly and remain at their equilibrium concentrations.

[14b_student 2E]

A reversible process is when a reaction can go from reactants to products, as well as from products to reactants.