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. 

BC
Answered by Benn C. Chemistry tutor

3298 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How does a acid buffer work?


Explain why the first ionisation energy of sulphur is lower than that of phosphorus.


Why is there a difference in mechanism between tertiary halogenoalkanes and primary halogenoalkanes in nucleophilic substitution?


Draw the mechanism for the reaction of an acid chloride with an alcohol to form an ester


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning