Home Wikituition Browse all terms Categories
Random term
Chemical Equilibrium

Simultaneous Equilibria

Several equilibria existing together in the same solution, all satisfied at once.

Unit mol/L

In depth

Every equilibrium constant, together with mass balance and charge balance, must hold simultaneously, so solving such systems generally requires numerical methods. Real solutions such as seawater or blood involve dozens of interlocking equilibria at the same time.

Examples in the real world

Blood plasma balancing carbonate, phosphate, protein and complexation equilibria to hold pH near 7.4.