reversible reaction: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Academic (Chemistry)
Quick answer
What does “reversible reaction” mean?
A chemical reaction where the products can react together to reform the original reactants.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chemical reaction where the products can react together to reform the original reactants.
A process in a closed system where the reaction can proceed in both forward and reverse directions, often reaching a state of dynamic equilibrium. More broadly, can describe any process that can be undone to return to a prior state.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or conceptual differences. Spelling of related terms may follow regional conventions (e.g., catalysed/catalyzed).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations.
Frequency
Equally frequent in academic chemistry contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “reversible reaction” in a Sentence
The reaction is reversible.A reversible reaction occurs/establishes/leads to...to reach equilibrium in a reversible reactionVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reversible reaction” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The system can reversibly react under these conditions.
- The process reversibly forms the hydrate.
American English
- The compounds reversibly react in a closed vessel.
- The enzyme reversibly binds the substrate.
adverb
British English
- The species are reversibly interconverted.
- The bond forms reversibly.
American English
- The components reversibly associate.
- The change occurs reversibly.
adjective
British English
- A thermally reversible reaction is key to the design.
- The reversible reaction pathway was confirmed.
American English
- The reversible reaction process was modeled.
- We observed reversible reaction kinetics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in R&D or pharmaceutical contexts discussing chemical processes.
Academic
Core term in chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical engineering textbooks and research.
Everyday
Virtually never used in general conversation.
Technical
Precise term describing a fundamental concept in physical chemistry and thermodynamics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reversible reaction”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “reversible reaction”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reversible reaction”
- Using a single arrow (→) instead of a double arrow (⇌) when writing the equation.
- Confusing it with a reaction that has simply not gone to completion.
- Thinking the reaction stops at equilibrium (it continues dynamically).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, at equilibrium, the forward and reverse reactions continue at equal rates, so there is no net change, but the process is dynamic.
Not necessarily. A reaction may not go to completion due to kinetic limitations (it's slow), not because it's thermodynamically reversible. True reversibility is a thermodynamic property.
The melting of ice to water and freezing back to ice is a physical change but illustrates the concept of reversibility under different temperature conditions.
An irreversible reaction, like the combustion of fuel, where the products cannot easily be converted back to the original reactants under the same conditions.
A chemical reaction where the products can react together to reform the original reactants.
Reversible reaction is usually technical / academic (chemistry) in register.
Reversible reaction: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˌvɜː.sə.bəl riˈæk.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈvɝː.sə.bəl riˈæk.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a REVERSIBLE jacket you can turn inside out. A REVERSIBLE REACTION can also 'turn' the products back into reactants.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SEE-SAW or a TUG OF WAR at a standstill, representing the dynamic balance of forward and reverse processes.
Practice
Quiz
What symbol is used to denote a reversible reaction in a chemical equation?