When equilibrium is reached in a reaction system (containing an arbitrary number of components and reaction paths), as many atoms, in their respective
molecular entities will pass forward, as well as backwards, along each individual path in a given finite time interval. Accordingly, the
reaction path in the reverse direction must in every detail be the reverse of the
reaction path in the forward direction (provided always that the system is at equilibrium). The principle of detailed balancing is a consequence for macroscopic systems of the principle of
microscopic reversibility.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077
(Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994))
on page 1105
See also:
PAC, 1996, 68, 149
(A glossary of terms used in chemical kinetics, including reaction dynamics (IUPAC Recommendations 1996))
on page 162
Cite as:
IUPAC. Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book"). Compiled by A. D. McNaught and A.Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1997). XML on-line corrected version: http://goldbook.iupac.org (2006-) created by M. Nic, J. Jirat, B. Kosata; updates compiled by A. Jenkins. ISBN 0-9678550-9-8.
doi:10.1351/goldbook.
