In this paper it is performed a historical account of the theoretical roots that grounded the following four key basic ideas of chemical equilibrium: ‘incomplete reaction’, ‘reversibility’, ‘equilibrium constant’ and ‘molecular dynamics’. These notions developed in nineteenth-century as a consequence of the evolution of the concept of chemical affinity. The discussion begins with the presentation of the earliest affinity table [‘Table des rapports’] published in 1718 by Geoffroy. Afterwards, it is examined Bergman’s compilation. The theory supporting this arrangement assumed that chemical displacement reactions were complete and could not be reversed. It is analysed how Berthollet’s model showed the inadequacy of this view. His new conceptual considerations established that the amount of the substances involved in a reaction was an essential factor determining its direction, which accounted for the early concepts of incomplete reaction and reversibility. Guldberg and Waage specified the role of mass in chemical equilibrium reactions as they considered the concentrations of the chemicals involved, formulating the first chemical equilibrium mathematical equation that approximates what is called nowadays chemical equilibrium constant. Finally, it is presented how Pfaundler was the first to consider the kinetic theory in the interpretation of the macroscopic properties of equilibrium reactions.

中文翻译：

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支持化学平衡理论的关键思想基础的历史/认识论说明

在本文中，对奠定化学平衡的以下四个关键基本思想的理论根源进行了历史解释：“不完全反应”、“可逆性”、“平衡常数”和“分子动力学”。这些概念在 19 世纪发展起来，是化学亲和力概念演变的结果。讨论从 Geoffroy 于 1718 年出版的最早的亲和表 ['Table des rapports'] 的介绍开始。之后，检查了伯格曼的汇编。支持这种安排的理论假设化学置换反应是完全的并且不能逆转。分析了Berthollet 的模型如何显示这种观点的不足。他的新概念考虑确定参与反应的物质的数量是决定其方向的重要因素，这解释了不完全反应和可逆性的早期概念。Guldberg 和 Waage 详细说明了质量在化学平衡反应中的作用，因为他们考虑了所涉及的化学物质的浓度，制定了第一个化学平衡数学方程，该方程近似于当今所谓的化学平衡常数。最后，介绍了 Pfaundler 如何在解释平衡反应的宏观性质时首先考虑动力学理论。Guldberg 和 Waage 详细说明了质量在化学平衡反应中的作用，因为他们考虑了所涉及的化学物质的浓度，制定了第一个化学平衡数学方程，该方程近似于当今所谓的化学平衡常数。最后，介绍了 Pfaundler 如何在解释平衡反应的宏观性质时首先考虑动力学理论。Guldberg 和 Waage 详细说明了质量在化学平衡反应中的作用，因为他们考虑了所涉及的化学物质的浓度，制定了第一个化学平衡数学方程，该方程近似于当今所谓的化学平衡常数。最后，介绍了 Pfaundler 如何在解释平衡反应的宏观性质时首先考虑动力学理论。