Topic Notes: Equilibrium

Chemical equilibrium is where reactions stop behaving like simple one‑way processes and start acting more like dynamic balancing acts. In many reactions, products don’t just form — they also break back down into reactants. Over time, the forward and reverse reactions settle into a state where they occur at the same rate, creating a stable balance that looks still but is constantly in motion at the particle level. This dynamic equilibrium underpins everything from atmospheric chemistry to industrial synthesis, and understanding it gives us the power to predict, control, and optimise chemical systems. Equilibrium isn’t about nothing happening — it’s about two opposing processes happening perfectly in sync.