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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Equilibrium and Steady State?

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The difference between equilibrium and steady state lies in the characterization of a system's behavior over time. Here are the key distinctions:

  • Equilibrium: In a system at equilibrium, all concentrations of reactants and products remain constant over time. This often occurs when the forward and backward reactions occur at the same rate. Equilibrium is a static process characterized by an equilibrium constant and does not have a time component.
  • Steady State: A system is in a steady state when the state variables are constant over time, even though there is a flow through the system. In a steady state, the rates of processes leading to the increase of the concentration of a species are equal to the rates of processes leading to its decrease. Steady state is a kinetic process characterized by rates. A common example of a steady state is a bathtub with the drain open and water being added at the same rate that water is leaving.

In summary, equilibrium refers to a system where concentrations of reactants and products remain constant over time, while steady state refers to a system where state variables remain constant over time despite the presence of ongoing reactions or processes.

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  • What is the Difference Between Equilibrium and Steady State?
  • Comparative Table: Equilibrium vs Steady State

    • Comparative Table: Equilibrium vs Steady State

    Here is a table comparing the differences between equilibrium and steady state:

    Feature Equilibrium Steady State
    Definition Equilibrium refers to a state where the forward and backward reactions occur at the same rate, resulting in constant concentrations of reactants and products. Steady state describes a stage in a chemical reaction where the concentration of an intermediate species is constant due to the balance between the rates of the forward and reverse processes.
    State Equilibrium is a static process characterized by an equilibrium constant. Steady state is a kinetic process characterized by rate constants.
    Concentration In equilibrium, all concentrations are constant over time. In a steady state, the concentration of at least one species (the one at steady state) is constant as long as the source and sink rates are equal.
    Time Equilibrium represents a state where the forward and backward reactions have reached a balance, and the concentrations of reactants and products are constant over time. Steady state does not imply equilibrium; it refers to a system's properties not changing with time, even though the system may be dynamically maintained by a source of energy.
    Example A common example of equilibrium is the behavior of weak acids and bases in aqueous solutions, where reactants continuously convert into products and vice versa. A common example of steady state is driving a car at the same speed on a straight road for an extended period.

    In summary, equilibrium is a static state where the concentrations of reactants and products remain constant, while steady state is a dynamic condition where a system's properties do not change with time, even though the system may be maintained by a source of energy.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.