Term: microscopic reversibility at equilibrium
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03916

Definition:
The principle of microscopic reversibility at equilibrium states that, in a system at equilibrium, any molecular process and the reverse of that process occur, on the average, at the same rate. This definition corresponds to the statement of the principle that was given by R.C. Tolman in 1924. However, many workers have interchanged the meanings of microscopic reversibility and detailed balance, and it seems best now to regard the two, which are closely related, as synonymous.

Related Terms:
1) principle of microscopic reversibility (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04850).
2) detailed balance (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.D01626).

Source: PAC, 1996, 68, 149. 'A glossary of terms used in chemical kinetics, including reaction dynamics (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 173 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668010149)

Citation: 'microscopic reversibility at equilibrium' 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.M03916

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