Difference between equilibrium and steady-state
Visit our Equilibrium section.
Steady State
A system at steady state does not change any of its properties with respect to time. In mathematical terms this resuslts in dx/dt=0.
Example:
If you want to produce penicilline you have to mantain a constant temperature because if we increase it, the microorganism (MO) will die and if we decrease the temperature the MO cannot develope metabolites that are needed to produces the penicilline. So when we mantain a constant temperature we have an steady-state because the variables (in this case the temperature is a varible) does not change with time.
The case of penicilline is different form equilibrium because while is necessary to mantain certain conditions as constant, the MO is constantly growing.
Remember that in equilibrium there is no change, not only in the variables but in everything.
If you want to produce penicilline you have to mantain a constant temperature because if we increase it, the microorganism (MO) will die and if we decrease the temperature the MO cannot develope metabolites that are needed to produces the penicilline. So when we mantain a constant temperature we have an steady-state because the variables (in this case the temperature is a varible) does not change with time.
The case of penicilline is different form equilibrium because while is necessary to mantain certain conditions as constant, the MO is constantly growing.
Remember that in equilibrium there is no change, not only in the variables but in everything.
Watch this Video for more information.
Resume:
Steady State: Constant but dynamic.
Equilibrium: No change at all. Static
Steady State: Constant but dynamic.
Equilibrium: No change at all. Static
References.
MIT OpenCourseWare (2014). Equilibrium vs. Steady State. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlSKAbefDTA
ALChemE (n.d). Steady-State vs Dynamic Behavior. Retrieved from: http://alcheme.tamu.edu/?page_id=1846
MIT OpenCourseWare (2014). Equilibrium vs. Steady State. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlSKAbefDTA
ALChemE (n.d). Steady-State vs Dynamic Behavior. Retrieved from: http://alcheme.tamu.edu/?page_id=1846