Le Chatelier's Principle Flashcards

Flashcards covering the key concepts of Le Chatelier's Principle, focusing on factors affecting equilibrium.

Equilibrium

The chemistry version of homeostasis; a state of balance in a reversible reaction where the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equal.

Le Chatelier's Principles

Principles used to predict how a reaction at equilibrium will respond to changes in concentration, pressure, or temperature.

Change in Concentration

Changing the amount of reactants or products in a system to disrupt equilibrium.

Change in Pressure

Altering the space in a system containing gases, influencing the equilibrium position.

Change in Temperature

Modifying the hotness or coldness of a reaction, requiring knowledge of the sign of ΔH.

Restoring Balance

The tendency of a reaction to counteract a disturbance and re-establish equilibrium.

Nitrogen Addition (Haber Process)

If nitrogen is added to the Haber process, the concentrations are out of balance.

Reaction Shift with Nitrogen Addition

If nitrogen is added, the reaction will shift right or away from the nitrogen and work to make more product.

Reaction Shift with Nitrogen Removal

If nitrogen is taken out, the reaction will shift toward the reactants (shift left) make more reactants.

Pressure and Moles of Gas

More moles of gas has a larger volume and exerts more pressure.

Increased Pressure/Decreased Volume Shift

Reaction shifts to the side with fewer moles of gas.

Decreased Pressure/Increased Volume Shift

Reaction shifts to the side with more moles of gas.

Temperature Increase Effect

Increasing temperature favors the endothermic reaction.

Temperature Decrease Effect

Reducing temperature favors the exothermic reaction.

Add He

Adding Helium to the reaction will cause a shift to the RIGHT

Reduce volume of reaction vessel

Reducing volume of reaction vessel will cause a shift to the RIGHT

Increase volume of reaction vessel

Increasing volume of reaction vessel causes shift to the LEFT

Increase temperature

Increasing temperature causes a shift to the RIGHT

Decrease temperature

Decreasing temperature causes a shift to the LEFT

Add a catalyst

Adding a catalyst will have NO EFFECT