Question

What are irreversible reactions? Give examples.

Answer 1

As we know that a chemical reaction can be the one which can form a product and the reaction does not stop rather it can again result into the reactants as well as a chemical reaction can be the one where only the products are formed and the reaction stops then and there only.

Complete answer: As we know that a chemical reaction can be reversible and irreversible reactions. In reversible reactions, the reactants as well as products are never fully consumed in the course of a reaction rather they are constantly reacting with each other and being produced. In other words, we can say that reactants are forming products and products are reacting to form the reactants.
But when we talk about irreversible reactions, as the name suggests, it is not reversing in nature meaning if a reaction is taking place it will only move in the forward direction and when the final products are formed the reaction will automatically stop.
Thus we can say that irreversible reactions are unidirectional where reactants can be converted to products but products cannot be converted back to reactants. For instance: the combustion reaction is an irreversible reaction which involves the burning of an organic compound like hydrocarbon and oxygen to result in the production of carbon dioxide and water molecules. As the water and carbon dioxide are stable molecules they do not react with each other to form oxygen and hydrocarbon again. We can show this reaction as:
${C_x}{H_y} + {O_2} \to C{O_2} + {H_2}O$

Note: Always remember that a reversible reaction is the one which is bidirectional meaning that the reaction can proceed in forward as well as backward direction and an irreversible reaction is unidirectional and proceeds only in forward direction and the whole amount of reactants are consumed in making products.