reversible reactions

• reversible reactions reach equilibrium
• the symbol for a reversible reaction is $\rightleftharpoons$
• reversible reactions reach equilibrium when the rate of forward and reverse reactions are equal
• equilibrium is only reached if the reversible reaction takes place in a closed system
• the position of equilibrium can be on the right or the left
• if the equilibrium lies to the right, the concentration of products is greater than that of the reactants
• if the equilibrium lies to the left, the concentration of reactants is greater than that of the products
• the position of equilibrium depends on the following conditions: the temperature, the pressure*, the concentration of the reactants and products

  *only in gases
• in reversible reactions, if the reaction is endothermic in one direction, it will be exothermic in the other
• hydrated copper sulfate $\rightleftharpoons$ anhydrous copper sulfate + water