Term: detailed balancing (principle of)
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.D01626

Definition:
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.

Related Terms:
1) molecular entities (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03986).
2) microscopic reversibility (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03916).
3) reaction path (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05174).

Source: PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1105 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)

Citation: 'detailed balancing (principle of)' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.D01626

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