How was Le Chatelier's principle discovered?

1 Answer
Feb 20, 2017

How else but by experimental observation?

Explanation:

Le Chatelier's principle clearly states that when #"a system at"#
#"at equilibrium is subject to an external perturbation the"#
#"equilibrium will move so as to offset the external perturbation."#

I usually add the proviso that #"offset"# #!=# #"counteract"#. We speak of the initial response of an equilibrium. Under the new conditions a new equilibrium could evolve.

Anyway, the principle (as with most chemical, and physical principles) derives from experiment.