When a Chemical Reaction is in Equilibrium

Question

When a chemical reaction is in equilibrium,
A) there is no net change in the amount of substrates or products.
B) the reaction is proceeding at its maximum rate.
C) the reaction has stopped.
D) there are equivalent amounts of substrates and products.

Accepted Answer

In a chemical reaction at equilibrium, the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the reverse reaction. As a result, there is no net change in the amount of substrates or products, meaning that the amounts of products and reactants remain constant. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. Option B is incorrect because equilibrium reactions occur at a constant rate, which is not necessarily the maximum rate. Option C is incorrect because the reaction has not stopped, but it is in a state of dynamic balance. Finally, option D is incorrect because there may not be equivalent amounts of substrates and products in equilibrium reactions.