Define and give an example of Le Chatalier's Principle of Chemical Equilibrium.

For any change that occurs in a chemical system, the equilibrium of that system will shift in order to counteract the change being imposed on that system. For example, if the temperature is increased for a reaction, and the forward reaction is endothermic, with an endothermic reverse reaction; the system will shift in order to dissipate the excess heat energy. Since an endothermic reaction takes in heat energy from the surroundings, this reaction will be favoured in order to use up the excess heat energy. Hence the shift in equilibrium will favour the reverse reaction. 

Answered by Benn C. Chemistry tutor

2871 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Devise a simple synthetic route to an amide from a carboxylic acid. Give a mechanism for the final step and explain why the reagents are not added 1:1 in the final step


What is mass spectrometry and how does it work?


Why is the Mg2+ ion smaller in radius than the Na+ ion?


Explain the bonding and thus the properties of a carbon allotrope


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences