Meaning & use
dynamic equilibrium
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Meanings
nouncountable or uncountabletechnical
A state in which two opposing processes happen at the same rate, so the overall situation stays steady even though activity continues.
Grammar: Can be used with 'a' when talking about one instance, or without an article when referring to the general state.
Patterns
- reach dynamic equilibrium
- be in dynamic equilibrium
- dynamic equilibrium between A and B
The market reached a dynamic equilibrium where the number of buyers and sellers stayed roughly equal.
In a healthy body, the production and breakdown of bone cells exist in dynamic equilibrium.
The two countries' trade relationship settled into a dynamic equilibrium after years of adjustment.
noununcountablechemistrytechnical
In chemistry, the balance in a reversible reaction when the forward and reverse reactions occur at equal rates and concentrations stop changing.
Grammar: Usually uncountable in this technical sense; often used with 'the'.
Patterns
- reach dynamic equilibrium
- at dynamic equilibrium
- the position of dynamic equilibrium
When the reaction reaches dynamic equilibrium, the amounts of reactants and products remain constant.
Adding a catalyst speeds up the approach to dynamic equilibrium but does not change its position.
At dynamic equilibrium, both the forward and reverse reactions are still taking place.
noununcountablebiologytechnical
In biology, a stable internal condition that an organism maintains while materials constantly move in and out of its cells.
Grammar: Technical and usually uncountable; often used with 'maintain' or 'achieve'.
Patterns
- maintain dynamic equilibrium
- achieve dynamic equilibrium
- dynamic equilibrium in the body
The body maintains dynamic equilibrium by balancing water intake and loss.
Cells achieve dynamic equilibrium through constant exchange of ions across their membranes.
Homeostasis is a kind of dynamic equilibrium that keeps internal conditions stable.
Word forms
| plural | dynamic equilibria |
|---|
Common combinations
- reach dynamic equilibrium
- The system will reach dynamic equilibrium once the rates of change become equal.
- in dynamic equilibrium
- The pendulum is never completely still; it is in dynamic equilibrium, swinging back and forth.
- maintain dynamic equilibrium
- The economy tries to maintain dynamic equilibrium despite constant shocks.
- shift the dynamic equilibrium
- A change in temperature can shift the dynamic equilibrium of a chemical reaction.
- dynamic equilibrium between supply and demand
- Prices reflect a dynamic equilibrium between supply and demand.
Synonyms and how they differ
- steady state
- Similar idea of stability despite ongoing processes, but 'steady state' often implies no net change at all, while dynamic equilibrium stresses equal opposing rates.
- balance
- Everyday and general; it lacks the technical precision about equal rates of change.
- homeostasis
- Used mainly in biology for the body's internal stability; dynamic equilibrium is broader and used in chemistry, economics, and physics too.
Opposites
Word family
- equilibrium noun
- A state of balance or stability.
- dynamically adverb
- In a way that involves energy, force, or constant change.
Commonly confused: dynamic equilibrium or static equilibrium?
dynamic equilibrium vs static equilibrium
Static equilibrium means nothing is moving at all, like a book resting on a table. Dynamic equilibrium involves constant activity that balances out.
Practice
In chemistry, what happens at dynamic equilibrium?
Choose one answer.
Dynamic equilibrium means the forward and reverse reactions are both still happening, but at the same rate, so concentrations stay constant. Option An is wrong because reactions do not stop; option C ignores the reverse reaction; option D is unrelated to equilibrium.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dynamic equilibrium”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.