• Question: Can you reverse a chemical reaction?

    Asked by 428bera39 to John on 10 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: John Wenger

      John Wenger answered on 10 Nov 2014:

      Hi there,

      Yes – many chemical reactions are reversible!
      A nice example of a reversible reaction is fizzy drinks. Carbon dioxide is forced into the liquid and the lid is placed on the bottle. When you open the bottle, the carbon dioxide bubbles up through the liquid and can escape into the air.

      hope that helps!

      John

Comments

  • Photo: Kevin

    Kevin commented on :

    And if we didn’t have chemical reactions that couldn’t be reversed we’d have no batteries!!! Lithium-Carbon batteries also know as Lithium ion generate electrons due to the reaction between to the lithium and carbon. These electrons flow around the circuit from – to + and your phone is part of that circuit and the electrons power it. When the reaction is complete, no electrons flow so the battery is dead. Plug the phone into the wall, the electrons flow in from the transformer as DC current and the reaction is reversed, so you’re charged up again. You unplug and the battery’s reaction kicks off again until you next need to charge.

  • Photo: 428bera39

    428bera39 commented on :

    Thanks for your help, very interesting stuff!