Reversible Reaction - GCSE Chemistry Definition

A reversible reaction is a chemical reaction that can go in both directions. This means the products can react to form the original reactants again. For example:

ammonium chloride ⇌ ammonia + hydrogen chloride

This reaction can go forwards (forming products) and backwards (reforming reactants), depending on the conditions.

In a reversible reaction, both the forward and reverse reactions happen at the same time. Eventually, the reaction can reach equilibrium, where the amounts of reactants and products stay constant, even though both reactions are still occurring.

Reversible reactions are important in GCSE Chemistry for understanding equilibrium, Le Chatelier’s Principle, and how industrial processes are controlled.