Why do some reactions never reach equilibrium?

Some reactions never reach equilibrium because they are inherently irreversible. For example, reactions that involve the complete combustion of a fuel or the formation of an insoluble precipitate go to completion without reversing. Other factors, such as very high activation energy or the extreme stability of products, can also prevent the establishment of equilibrium.

Related Questions:

  1. Explain how the rates of forward and backward reactions change when the system approaches equilibrium.
  2. Study the effect of heat on hydrated copper sulfate. Why does this salt look colored, and why does it lose color upon heating?
  3. How can you increase the maximum yield of a reversible reaction?
  4. Can you make an irreversible reaction reversible?
  5. What is the effect of pressure on equilibrium?
  6. Investigate why some reactions are irreversible.
  7. How can you drive a reversible reaction to completion?
  8. What are the conditions required to shift equilibrium in the forward direction?
  9. How do you determine the position of equilibrium?
  10. Why does pressure affect gaseous equilibria?
  11. How does a change in temperature affect the reaction at equilibrium?
  12. Why are combustion reactions generally irreversible?
  13. Do the phase changes in water (solid to liquid, liquid to vapor) represent reversible equilibrium?
  14. How can you decrease the time to attain equilibrium?
  15. Why are some reactions irreversible while others are reversible?
  16. How can a reversible reaction be forced to go to completion?
  17. How do you know if a reaction is reversible or irreversible?
  18. How can you drive the reversible reaction at equilibrium?