What does it mean when a reaction is reversible?

[janice]

In lecture, it was established that systems at equilibrium have changes that occur in small steps, resulting in an integral of the external pressure. What does it then mean that the reaction is reversible in terms of the equation and conceptually, in general?

[CarolYassa2K]

A reversible reaction can occur in both directions depending on the conditions it is in. Simply put, a reversible reaction is another way to describe an equilibrium reaction. The equation will have a double arrow rather than just an arrow pointing in the forward direction.

[105988375]

A reaction is reversible when the reactants form products that react with one another to make more reactants. Only reversible reactions can reach equilibrium cause that's the only way the products and reactants can react together and make it so that they run at an equal rate.

[Dylan Do]

To add on, reversible reactions are where the K constant comes into play. K represents the ratio between products:reactants at equilibrium. Only reversible reactions will have equilibrium concentrations for reactants and products.

[Christian Huang 1G]

Thank you for all the clarification. However, can someone explain why equilibrium is important for the equation involving the work of a system and integration?