Equilibrium Definitions

Phrase
Closed System
Open System
Dynamic Equilibrium
Static Equilibrium
Non-Equilibrium Reaction
Reversible Reaction
Irreversible Reaction
Definition
A closed system is a system which does not allow any interaction
with the environment; but allows for an exchange of energy.
Therefore, it has the ability to reach equilibrium as the quantities of
all substances can remain constant.
An open system is a system which allows for interaction with the
environment; both and energy and matter can be exchanged. It
cannot reach equilibrium as reactants or products are being
constantly removed.
In a closed chemical system involving a reversible reaction, as the
reactants form products, the products will also form reactants. This
means that the reaction will not go to completion. Rather, it will
reach a state of dynamic equilibrium. During a dynamic
equilibrium, both the forward and reverse reactions are occurring at
the same rate.
Static equilibrium occurs when all particles in the reaction are at
rest and there is no motion between reactants and products. There
are no dynamic forces acting on the potential energies of either the
forward and reverse reactions
A non-reversible reaction is a reaction that can only proceed in one
direction. It is either the direction where the reactants form
products or the direction where the products can react to form
reactants. The reaction goes to completion.
A reversible reaction is a reaction that can both proceed in the
direction where the reactants react to form products and the
direction where the products can react to form reactants.
Chemical reactions can occurr when reactants reacted with each
other to form products. These unidirectional reactions are known as
irreversible reactions, reactions in which the reactants convert to
products and where the products cannot convert back to the
reactants.

Combustion reactions are irreversible exothermic reactions. For example, for the combustion
of octane:
2 C8 H 18(g )+ 25O 2 (g) →16 CO 2(g )+ 18 H 2 O(l) ∆ H=−5114 kJ mol−1

The spontaneity of this reaction at 100°C can be assessed by calculating Gibbs free energy:
∆ H ∘=−5114 kJ mol−1
∆ S∘=+ 3841 J mol−1 K −1
∆ G ∘=∆ H ∘−T ∆ S∘
¿−5114−( 373× 0.384) (T is in kelvin and ∆ S∘ s converted to kJ mol-1 K-1)
¿−5258 kJ mol−1

Since ∆ G is negative, the forward reacting is spontaneous while reverse reaction is not.
However, as it is not close to zero, the reaction is not reversible and does not reach a dynamic
equilibrium.
Photosynthesis is an endothermic chemical process occurring in the cells of plants, algae and
some bacteria. It can be represented by the equation:
−1
6 CO 2( g )+ 6 H 2 O (l ) → C5 H 12 O 6 (aq )+6 O 2 ( g) ∆ H=+ 2803 kJ mol
The spontaneity of this reaction at 25°C can be assessed by calculating Gibbs free energy:
∆ H ∘=+ 2803 kJ mol−1
∆ S∘=−212 J mol−1 K −1
∆ G ∘=∆ H ∘−T ∆ S∘
¿+2803−(298 ×−0.212) (T is in kelvin and ∆ S∘ s converted to kJ mol-1 K-1)
¿+2866 kJ mol−1

Since ∆ G is positive, the reverse reaction is spontaneous while the forward reaction is not.
However, as it is not close to zero, the reaction is not reversible and does not reach a dynamic
equilibrium.