Reversible

Name:
Reversible
Detailed information:
(1) A chemical reaction that proceeds first to the right and then to the left when the ambient conditions are changed; the product of the first reaction decomposes to the original components as a result of different conditions of temperature or pressure. Examples are H₂O + CO₂ ←→ H₂CO₃, in which the carbonic acid reverts to water and carbon dioxide on heating; NH₄Cl ←→ NH₃ + HCl, in which the ammonium chloride decomposes on heating to ammonia and hydrochloric acid, which recombine on cooling.(2) A colloidal system such as a gel or suspension that can be changed back to its original liquid form by heating, addition of water, or other method. For example, evaporated egg white can be restored (reconstituted) by addition of water.