A change in conditions that upsets the balance of forward and reverse rates is called a:
AStress
BCatalyst
CSolvent
DSpectator
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Stress
1. At equilibrium the forward and reverse reaction rates are equal.
2. If an equilibrium system is subjected to a change in conditions that affects these reaction rates differently, that change is a stress.
3. Then the rates are no longer equal and the system is not at equilibrium.
4. A catalyst speeds both directions equally, so it does not shift the position.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 13 'Fundamental Equilibrium Concepts', sections 13.1-13.4_
Keep practising Fundamental Equilibrium Concepts
Browse all Fundamental Equilibrium Concepts questions for AP Chemistry, or explore more Chemistry topics.
Related questions
Sort each symbol by what it measuresComplete the Q against K ruleTrue or false: equilibriumMatch each equilibrium termWhich way does it shift?The reaction quotient is useful during a reaction because its value:Many real systems involve coupled equilibria, meaning two reactions that share:Reactions differ from many physical processes in that they may proceed: