Skip to main content

Introduction to Le Châtelier’s Principle

Le Châtelier’s Principle states that if a system at equilibrium is disturbed, the system will adjust in a way that opposes the disturbance and re-establishes equilibrium.

Key Concepts​

  • Disturbances include changes in:
    • Concentration of reactants or products
    • Pressure (for gases)
    • Temperature
  • System Response: The reaction shifts to counteract the change
    • Increase reactant → shift toward products
    • Increase product → shift toward reactants
    • Increase temperature in endothermic reaction → shift toward products

Example​

For N₂ + 3 H₂ ⇌ 2 NH₃, ΔH < 0 (exothermic):

  • Adding H₂ → reaction shifts toward NH₃ formation
  • Increasing temperature → reaction shifts toward reactants

Importance​

  • Predicts reaction direction under changing conditions
  • Helps optimize industrial chemical processes
  • Explains solubility and yield changes in equilibrium systems

Have Questions?​

If you have any questions, or are looking for more resources, you can join our Discord Server