Question

highlight the incorrect statement regarding equilibrium. (select at least 4 sentences to check your answer)
1 chemical reactions proceed in one direction only

1. reactions will proceed until a state of equilibrium is reached.
2. equilibrium is the highest state of free energy that can be reached

4 energy is added to a system to prevent equilibrium from being reached.

1. the goal of an organism is to reach equilibrium.
2. living organisms fight a constant battle against entropy.
3. living organisms are examples of closed systems.

Explanation:

1. Chemical reactions are reversible and can proceed in both directions, not just one - direction, so statement 1 is incorrect.
2. Equilibrium is the state of minimum free energy, not the highest, so statement 3 is incorrect.
3. A system reaches equilibrium spontaneously without the need for energy to be added to prevent or reach it in most cases, so statement 4 is incorrect.
4. The goal of an organism is not to reach equilibrium as equilibrium in a biological context implies death; organisms maintain a non - equilibrium steady state, so statement 5 is incorrect.
5. Living organisms are open systems as they exchange matter and energy with the environment, not closed systems, so statement 7 is incorrect.

Answer:

1. Chemical reactions proceed in one direction only.
2. Equilibrium is the highest state of free energy that can be reached.
3. Energy is added to a system to prevent equilibrium from being reached.
4. The goal of an organism is to reach equilibrium.
5. Living organisms are examples of closed systems.