Chemical equilibrium is attained when the concentrations of the reactants and products remain constant, and the forward and reverse reactions are occurring at the same rate. In other words, the concentrations of the reactants and products do not change over time. This does not mean that the reactants have stopped forming products; it simply means that the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the reverse reaction. At equilibrium, the system is balanced, and the reaction is said to be in a steady state.