Reversible vs. Irreversible reactions

$\Delta S = \frac{q_{rev}}{T}$

Ryan Neis 2L
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:04 am

Reversible vs. Irreversible reactions

How does temperature, pressure, and volume differ with reversible and irreversible reactions/pathways?

Harrison Wang 1H
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:07 am

Re: Reversible vs. Irreversible reactions

If temperature remains constant throughout the reaction, then it is said to be isothermal. In a reversible reaction, the external pressure equals the internal pressure of the container, and the external pressure is increased or decreased in small increments. In a irreversible reaction, there is a noticeable difference between the external pressure and internal pressure.

Justin Chang 2K
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:04 am

Re: Reversible vs. Irreversible reactions

Yes. Also, because in reversible reactions, you increase/decrease the pressure by small increments, that explains why we must use w=-nRTln(V2/V1) since pressure will not be constant. However, because in irreversible reactions, the external pressure remains constant, we use w=-PdeltaV because the external pressure is constant.