The table below lists measured forward and reverse rates for the reaction 2NO₂(g) ⇌…
CHEMISTRY · Subjective · A Level · Chemistry · Chemical equilibria (Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc) · Chemical equilibria (Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc)
Problem
The table below lists measured forward and reverse rates for the reaction 2NO₂(g) ⇌ N₂O₄(g) at 25 °C.
Time (s) | Forward rate (M·s⁻¹) | Reverse rate (M·s⁻¹)
0 | 1.8×10−3 | 2.0×10−4
20 | 1.2×10−3 | 5.0×10−4
40 | 8.0×10−4 | 8.0×10−4
60 | 6.0×10−4 | 6.0×10−4
Determine the earliest time at which the system can be considered to have reached equilibrium and state the evidence for your choice in one sentence.