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Introduction to Equilibrium

2. Bigger Picture

In the Module Introduction you read that there are examples of equilibrium all around you. You are probably questioning whether this is true.

Soil is often overlooked when we think of important parts of Earth. In earlier science courses you learned that soil is a component of the biosphere, the section of Earth that supports life. Apart from being the medium for growing most plants, soil is the home for many organisms. Soil is also made up of many chemical components. The minerals, organic materials, and water within soil form a complex chemical system.

The atmosphere also forms a system in which equilibria can exist. How might these equilibria affect the rain and other forms of precipitation that will deposit on Earth?

 

In this module you will be introduced to a number of chemical systems in which equilibrium is critical to each system’s function. You will also learn that equilibrium systems exhibit certain unique properties that can be manipulated by the application of a stress.

Studying equilibrium is not only a matter of knowing the system; studying equilibrium also involves knowing the changes that can occur within the system that help to describe the equilibrium. In your study you will learn about forward and reverse reactions, conditions, and stresses; all of which define a chemical equilibrium. You will do more than study the basic principles of a system at equilibrium; you will learn how manipulating conditions can allow you to understand a chemical equilibrium.

What kinds of stresses are placed on soil? Does human activity or agricultural practice affect the equilibrium of chemical components in soil? How would the chemical components in soil respond to the application of a stress, and what impact might that stress have on soil’s fertility?

Soil is not the only system that has chemical components that form an equilibrium system. In this module you will also investigate the components within biological systems that make up equilibrium systems within organisms.