Have you ever heard of Le Chatelier’s Principle and what it does? Well today, I will explain to you about what Le Chatelier’s Principle is.
Le Chatelier’s Principle states that if a change is imposed on a system at equilibrium, the position of the equilibrium will shift in a direction that tends to reduce that change. This means that if the conditions of a closed system change, then the position of equilibrium will also respond to this change.
Here are some facts about Le Chatelier’s principles:
Basically if you put in more concentration in the reactants, then the system will favor product formation. If you put in more product concentration, then the system will favor reactants. If the temperature increases, the system will have an endothermic reaction. But if the temperature decreases, then the system will have an exothermic reaction. If you increase pressure in the system, then it will favor the side with fewer molecules. But if you decrease the pressure, then it will favor the side with more molecules. I think you get the idea.
Here is one example of a system that is using Le Chatelier’s Principle. Suppose you see the system: CO2 + H2 → H2O(g) + CO. The change of this system is a drying agent added to absorb H2O. The result of the system is that the equilibrium will move right because the CO2 decreases to CO.
Here is another example of a system that is using Le Chatelier’s Principle. Suppose you see the system: H2(g) + I2(g) → 2HI(g). The change of this system is some nitrogen gas added. But, there is no change because N2 is a gas, and it doesn’t count as a concentration.
Here is a final example of a system that is using Le Chatelier’s Principle. Suppose you see the system: NaCl(s) + H2SO4(l) → Na2SO4(s)+ HCl(g). The change of this system is that the reaction is carried in an open air container. Since HCl is a gas that escapes the system, the reaction moves right.
I hope you understand what Le Chatelier’s principle now, and thanks for reading!
Sources: https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/General_Chemistry/Chem1_(Lower)/11%3A_Chemical_Equilibrium/11.02%3A_Le_Chatelier’s_Principle
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/le-chateliers-principle/
