Question

Consider each of the following systems for long times, at which their behacioor is time invariant. Identify each system as equilibrium or steady state.

1) A hose supplies water at a constant rate to a bucket with a hole in it. A constant water level is maintained

2)A mixture of reacting gas molecules is constrained to a fixed temperature, e.g., H2, O2 and H2O at 600 K.

3) Ice floats in water, thermally insulated from its surroundings.

4) Molten steel is poured into a continuous casting mill while withdrawing solid steel from the bottom.

(5) A foil birthday balloon is brought into a hot room.

Answer 1

In equilibrium, reaction can procced in both direction. Also concentrations of all components are being held constant as the reaction rates are equal in the forward and backward reaction.

In steady state concentratiion of only some components are kept constant, because its synthesis rate and the consumption rate are equal.

1) A hose supplies water at a constant rate to a bucket with a hole in it. A constant water level is maintained
Steady state: Rate of supplying of water = rate at which it is flowing out

2)A mixture of reacting gas molecules is constrained to a fixed temperature, e.g., H2, O2 and H2O at 600 K.
Equilibrium since temperature is constant rate of forward reaction = rate of backward reaction.

3) Ice floats in water, thermally insulated from its surroundings.
Its in thermal equilibrium since temperature is constant rate of melting og ice = rate of freezing.

4) Molten steel is poured into a continuous casting mill while withdrawing solid steel from the bottom.
Steady state: Rate of pouring = rate of withdrawing

(5) A foil birthday balloon is brought into a hot room.
Its none of the above because ballon will blast and its gone