EQUILIBRIUM AND LE CHÂTELIER’S PRINCIPLE

Reversible chemical reactions reach equilibrium in closed systems (no substances added or lost). Here’s how different conditions affect that equilibrium.

EQUILIBRIUM CONCENTRATION TEMPERATURE PRESSURE

˚C Pa
A+B C+D TEMPERATURE INCREASED PRESSURE INCREASED
REACTANT CONCENTRATION INCREASED

The equilibrium position shifts to

reduce the reactant concentration. # The equilibrium position shifts
to reduce the temperature. ˚C
The equilibrium position shifts
to reduce the pressure. Pa
In reversible reactions products of the
reaction can react to produce the original
REACTION FORMING THE ENDOTHERMIC REACTION SIDE OF REACTION WITH FEWER
reactants. At dynamic equilibrium the
rates of the forwards and backwards PRODUCTS FAVOURED # WILL BE FAVOURED
ENDO
GAS MOLECULES FAVOURED
reactions are equal; the concentrations of In the example below the new In the example below the new In the example below the new
the reactants and products don’t change. equilibrium mixture will contain a equilibrium mixture will contain equilibrium mixture will contain
higher concentration of C and D. more A and B, and less C and D. more C and D, and less A and B.

EXOTHERMIC DECREASES PRESSURE

1 removes dirt at the same REDUCES REACTANT CONCENTRATION
rate as 2 replaces it. 2 (increases temperature) (fewer gas molecules on right)

1
The size of the hole and
A + 2B C+D A + 2B C+D A + 2B C+D
(decreases temperature) (more gas molecules on left)
pile of dirt stay the same. REDUCES PRODUCT CONCENTRATION ENDOTHERMIC INCREASES PRESSURE

Increasing concentration of one side favours the other. If the forward reaction is exothermic, the backward If the number of gas molecules is the same on either side,
reaction will be endothermic, and vice versa. then changing pressure will have no effect.

LE CHÂTELIER’S PRINCIPLE
PRODUCT CONCENTRATION INCREASED TEMPERATURE DECREASED ˚C PRESSURE DECREASED Pa
An analogy for changing equilibrium conditions

# ˚C Pa
The equilibrium position shifts to The equilibrium position shifts The equilibrium position shifts
reduce the product concentration. to increase the temperature. to increase the pressure.

REACTION FORMING THE EXOTHERMIC REACTION EXO SIDE OF REACTION WITH MORE
Le Châtelier’s principle states that when
REACTANTS FAVOURED # WILL BE FAVOURED GAS MOLECULES FAVOURED
In the example above the new In the example above the new In the example above the new
a change is made to the conditions of a equilibrium mixture will contain a equilibrium mixture will contain equilibrium mixture will contain
dynamic equilibrium, the system moves to higher concentration of A and B. more C and D, and less A and B. more A and B, and less C and D.
counteract the change, causing changes in
quantities of reactants and products.
Note: using a catalyst increases the rate of both the forwards and backwards reactions but doesn’t change the equilibrium position.

© Andy Brunning/Compound Interest 2017 - www.compoundchem.com | Twitter: @compoundchem | FB: www.facebook.com/compoundchem

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