Reactions at equilibrium

[Sydney Rohan 3G]

When a reaction is at equilibrium why arent the concentrations of reactants and products are equal? Can someone please explain?

[amreen_sandhu1k]

Equilibrium does not mean that the product and the reactants are the same value. Instead, it means that the two are changing at a constant rate, meaning that whatever their concentrations at equilibrium are cannot be changed.

[Jonathan Sautter 1J]

I believe it is because equilibrium isn't the point at which the concentration of reactant and product are the same, but rather it is the point at which both the forward and reverse reaction are taking place at the same rate so that neither the reactants nor products are favored.

[Mya_Chiarappa_2C]

A reaction being at equilibrium does not mean the concentrations of reactants and products are equal, just that the forward and reverse reactions are occurring at the same rate.

[Annica Reyes 2B]

Hi! When a reaction is at equilibrium, the reactants form products at the same rate that the products form the reactants, so this does not necessarily mean that the concentrations of the reactants and products are equal. Equal rate does not mean equal concentrations. Hope this helps!