Le Chatelier's Principle Review

Flashcards on Le Chatelier's Principle

Le Chatelier's Principle

Describes how a chemical reaction will respond when we do something to disturb equilibrium.

Le Chatelier's Principle (in your own words)

When a change disturbs equilibrium, the reaction responds in the opposite way to restore balance.

Two changes to shift equilibrium to the right

Adding reactants or taking away products.

Effect of increasing temperature on equilibrium (exothermic forward reaction)

Increasing temperature favors the endothermic reaction (absorbs heat), shifting equilibrium to the left if the forward reaction is exothermic.

Does a catalyst affect equilibrium amounts?

No, it only affects the rate or speed of a reaction, not the amounts of reactants and products at equilibrium.