At equilibrium, how does the forward rate of reaction compare to the reverse rate of reaction?
1 answer
At equilibrium, the forward rate of reaction is equal to the reverse rate of reaction. This is because the rate of the forward reaction is initially rapid and gradually slows down as products accumulate, whereas the rate of the reverse reaction initially slow and gradually speeds up as reactants deplete. When the rates become equal, the system is said to have reached equilibrium.