Irreversible vs Reversible

[Rosselyn_Machado_2B]

Hi, how would you know it an reaction equation is reversible or irreversible? Are there key things to note to differentiate the two? Thank you!

[Logan_reyes_3H]

Irreversible chemical reactions can occur in only one direction. They usually specify in the problem whether the the reaction is reversible or not.

[306278293]

It is also notable that these reactions use different equations! For example, on the last midterm there was a question about finding work for an irreversible expansion, which is what entailed us to use w = - P ∆V rather than other work equations such as w=-nRT ln V2/V1.

[Sarah Egan 3A]

Reversible reactions are expressed using equilibrium constants and rate laws for both forward and reverse reactions but irreversible reactions are just rate laws only for the forward reaction.

[Grace Kim 1a]

If the problem says that there is slow expansion at a constant pressure, then it indicates a reversible expansion is occuring.

[Holiday Parsons 2D]

conceptually, reversible processes take place infinitesimally (hence why an integral is used to derive the reversible work equation, "w=-nRT ln V2/V1" because of the incremental changes involved). Irreversible processes occur when large changes take place and thus cannot be returned to their original state.

[306060519]

You can tell a system is reversible if it can be reserved back into its original state using mechanisms.