All courses › General Chemistry › Le Chatelier's principle

Le Chatelier's principle

Le Chatelier's principle states that a chemical equilibrium shifts to counteract an external change, such as altered concentration, pressure, or temperature. Increased pressure, for example, favors the side of the reaction with fewer gas molecules, since it reduces the total volume.

external change→equilibrium shifts to counteract it\text{external change} \to \text{equilibrium shifts to counteract it}Le Chatelier's principle

Example

If product is continuously removed from a reversible reaction, the equilibrium shifts toward more product formation to replace what is removed.

A catalyst does not change the equilibrium itself, only how fast it is reached — Le Chatelier's principle concerns the equilibrium position.
Practise acids, bases and equilibrium for free →

← Buffer · Enthalpy and exothermic reactions →

Part of General Chemistry: Acids, bases and equilibrium.