What is le Chatelier's principle?

Le Chatelier's principle states that a reaction at equilibrium will shift it's position of equilibrium in order to oppose any changes to it's environment.

So if your reaction is exothermic, and you cool your reaction down, it will shift it's position of equilibrium more towards the products to warm it back up again, and vice versa for an endothermic reaction.

Likewise, if your reaction produces a gas, and therefore raises the pressure of the reaction vessel, if you decrease the pressure in your reaction vessel, the reaction will shift more towards the reactants to bring the pressure back up.

CM
Answered by Chris M. Chemistry tutor

3537 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe the arrangement of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom of Neon (Atomic No. 10, Atomic Weight 20.18). You may use diagrams to aid you.


Explain why Silicon Dioxide has a higher melting point than Sulfur Trioxide.


Describe the structure and bonding of benzene.


"A chromium compound contains 28.4% sodium and 32.1% chromium by mass, while the rest is oxygen. What is the empirical formula of this compound?"


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning