Chemical systems are dynamic. Molecules are constantly shifting position, velocity, and, if conditions are right, undergoing chemical reaction. This constant ferment may not produce any detectable changes in a system, however, because other changes elsewhere in the sample may compensate. Chemistry say that these systems reach a state of "dynamic equilibrium".
If your browser supports JAVA, then you can play the "Bead Game". The game demonstrates how a chemical system might reach and then sustain a state of dynamic equilibrium. The rules of the game are simple.
Each colored bead represents a different type of molecule: red, blue or green. You "collide" pairs of beads (MOLECULES!) by rolling dice and selecting the indicated beads. If the two "colliding" beads have the right color combination (red + blue OR green + green) a chemical reaction will occur and their colors will change. If they don't, then no reaction occurs and their colors stay the same.
Keep rolling the dice again and again to create more and more "collisions". Does the system ever reach equilibrium (constant number of red, blue and green beads)? Does the system ever return to its initial ordered state?
P.S. The game provides messages regarding the rules. Read the messages and follow the rules!
Click here to start the Bead Game
The Bead Game playing board looks like this:
(last updated 3/21/97)