chemical equilibrium

Cultural  

1. A balanced condition within a system of chemical reactions. When in chemical equilibrium, substances form and break down at the same rate, and the number of molecules of each substance becomes definite and constant.

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Example Sentences

But researchers have also realized that we can be fooled by entirely nonbiological environments that churn out these compounds in unbalanced mixes—far from the expectations of chemical equilibrium based on the simplest thermodynamic rules.

From Scientific American

This proxy measurement depends on a chemical equilibrium controlled by ocean acidity, which, in turn, is closely related to the atmospheric CO2 concentration.

From Nature

Such bacteria give out oxygen as a waste product and this throws our atmosphere out of ‘chemical equilibrium’.

From The Guardian

Heavier elements like tungsten, moreover, would condense too quickly for the contributions of Earth and impactor ever to reach chemical equilibrium with each other.

From Time

The resin pulled CO2 out of the polycarbonate in its vigorous quest for chemical equilibrium.

From Scientific American