Le Chatelier’s Principle: Understanding How Reactions Change
Le Chatelier’s Principle helps us figure out what happens when a chemical reaction is changed.
When everything is balanced in a reaction, we call it a dynamic equilibrium. If something disturbs this balance, the reaction shifts to try to fix it.
Here’s how this works:
Concentration:
If we add more reactants, the reaction will move to the right to make more products.
For example, in this reaction:
If we increase the amount of A, the reaction will make more C and D.
Temperature:
If the reaction gives off heat (exothermic) and we make it hotter, the reaction will shift left. This means it will produce more reactants to cool down the system.
Pressure:
In reactions that involve gases, if we increase the pressure, the reaction will move towards the side with fewer gas molecules.
By understanding these factors, we can predict which way the reaction will go!
Le Chatelier’s Principle: Understanding How Reactions Change
Le Chatelier’s Principle helps us figure out what happens when a chemical reaction is changed.
When everything is balanced in a reaction, we call it a dynamic equilibrium. If something disturbs this balance, the reaction shifts to try to fix it.
Here’s how this works:
Concentration:
If we add more reactants, the reaction will move to the right to make more products.
For example, in this reaction:
If we increase the amount of A, the reaction will make more C and D.
Temperature:
If the reaction gives off heat (exothermic) and we make it hotter, the reaction will shift left. This means it will produce more reactants to cool down the system.
Pressure:
In reactions that involve gases, if we increase the pressure, the reaction will move towards the side with fewer gas molecules.
By understanding these factors, we can predict which way the reaction will go!