How does Le Chatelier's principle affect equilibrium?
1 Answer
Le Châtelier's Principle doesn't affect equilibrium. Rather, it enables us to predict what will happen when we affect an equilibrium.
Le Châtelier’s Principle states that if you apply a stress to a system at equilibrium, the equilibrium will shift in the direction that will remove the stress.
It predicts that if you add reactants or remove products, the system will respond by removing reactants and forming more products.
If you add products or remove reactants, the system will respond by removing products and forming more reactants. The position of equilibrium will shift to the left.
If the reaction is exothermic and you remove heat, the system will try to replace the lost heat. The position of equilibrium will shift to the right.
If you add heat, the system will try to get rid of the heat. The position of equilibrium will shift to the left.
If the reaction is endothermic and you add heat, the system will try to get rid of the heat. The position of equilibrium will shift to the right.
If you remove heat, the system will try to replace the heat. The position of equilibrium will shift to the left.
