Factors affecting equilibrium Flashcards
What is Le Chatelier’s Principle?
When a system is at equilibrium and a change is made to any of the conditions the system will respond to counteract the changes until equilibrium is reached
How will the system respond to counteract an increase in reactant concentration
this favours the forward reaction
so more reactants are used up
and equilibrium shifts to the right so more products are formed
until equilibrium is reached again
How will a system respond to counteract a decrease in product concentration
more reactants are used up so more product can be formed until equilibrium is reached
How will a system respond to counteract a decrease in reactant concentration
More product will react together and be used up so that more reactant is formed until equilibrium is reached
How will a system respond to counteract an increase in pressure?
The system will shift the equilibrium to the side with the SMALLEST number of molecules, so to the (left/right)
How will a system respond to counteract a decrease in pressure?
The system will shift the equilibrium to the side with the LARGEST number of molecules, so to the (left/right)
If the number of molecules in a reversible reaction at equilibrium, what effect does changing the pressure have on the equillibrium?
No effect
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ affects reactions involving gases
fill in the blank
Pressure affects reactions involving gases
Pressure affects reactions involving _ _ _ _ _
fill in the blank
Pressure affects reactions involving gases
In equilibrium, the pressure depends on what?
The number of molecules
When is the only time that Le Chatelier’s principle applies?
In a closed system
as it is referring to equilibrium which only occurs in a closed system
How do you find out the number of molecules of the reactants and products
- make sure the equation is BALANCED
- Look at the multipliers (big numbers infront of the elements/compounds) and add them together on each side
