What symbol represents chemical equilibrium?

The symbol that represents chemical equilibrium is the double arrow, indicating a reversible reaction. In a chemical equation, when the reaction reaches equilibrium, the rate of the forward reaction equals the rate of the reverse reaction, meaning that the concentrations of the reactants and products remain constant over time. The double-headed arrow (⇌) visually communicates this state of balance, emphasizing that the reaction can proceed in both directions.

This is particularly important in understanding dynamic systems in chemistry, as it shows that even though the concentrations of the substances remain stable, the reactions are still occurring in both directions. This symbol is distinct from the other options, which denote different types of relationships in equations; for example, the single arrow (→) typically suggests a one-way reaction that is complete rather than indicating a state of balance, while the equals sign (=) is commonly used in mathematics to show equality but does not convey the idea of a reversible or dynamic process like the double arrow does.