Factors affecting Equilibrium

Le Chateliers Principle
-states when a system in equilibrium is disturbed, system will react to counteract effect of change until a new
equilibrium is reached.
Position of equilibirum lies to left
Higher proportion of reactants at
equilibirum (Kc<1)

Position of equilibirum lies to right

Higher proportion of products at
equilibirum (Kc>1)

Concentration
A+B

C+

-If [A] decreased, by Le Chateliers

Principle, position of equilibrium shift left
to increase [A].

-If [A] increased, by Le Chateliers

Principle, position of equilibrium shift
right to decrease [A].

-C & D react to form more A & B until a

new equilibrium reached.

-A & B react to form more C & D until a

new equilibrium reached.

-Backward reaction favoured and position

of equilibirum shifts to left.

-Forward reaction favoured and position

of equilibirum shifts to right.

If total pressure of gaseous mixture

decreased, by Le Chateliars Principle,
position of equilirium shifts left to
increase total amount (In mol) of gases
(so as to increase pressure)(***) [A] & [B]
increase & [C] & [D] decrease.

If total pressure of gaseous mixture

increased, by Le Chateliars Principle,
position of equilirium shifts right to
reduce total amount (In mol) of gases (so
as to decrease pressure) [A] & [B]
decrease while [C] & [D] increase.

(When pressure decreased, no effect on

(When pressure increased, no effect on

POE because amounts (in mol) of gases

D
When [ ] changes, POE
changes but Kc remains
unchanged because extent
of change in reactants &
products same thus no
change in Kc. (***)

Pressure (gases)
Case 1: No. of moles of
gaseous reactants does not
equal no. of moles of
gaseous products
Case 2 : No. of moles of
gaseous reactants equal to
no. of moles of gaseous

products

POE because amounts (in mol) of gases

on both sides of equilibrium same.)
Pressure changes do not affect
equilibrium constant since Kc = kf / kb
Temperature

Exothermic => release heat

=> favours decrease in
Temp
Endothermic => absorb
heat => favours increase in
Temp

Endothermic H>0 (Temperatures

decreases)
By Le Chateliers Principle, POE shifts
to left to release heat, favouring
exothermic reaction.
[A] & [B] increase while [C] & [D]
decrease until a new equilibrium
reached. Kc decreases.
Exothermic H<0 (Temperatures
increases)
By Le Chateliers Principle, POE shifts
to left to absorb excess heat, favouring
endothermic reaction.
[A] & [B] increase while [C] & [D]
decrease until a new equilibrium
reached. Kc decreases.

on both sides of equilibrium same.)

Pressure changes do not affect
equilibrium constant since Kc = kf / kb

Endothermic H>0 (Temperature

increases) (***)
By Le Chateliers Principle, POE shifts
to right to absorb excess heat,
favouring endothermic reaction.
[A] & [B] decrease while [C] & [D]
increase until a new equilibrium reached.
Kc increases.
Exothermic H<0 (Temperature
decreases)(***)
By Le Chateliers Principle, POE shifts
to right to release heat, favouring
exothermic reaction.
[A] & [B] decrease while [C] & [D]
increase until a new equilibrium
reached. Kc increases

Catalyst
- Substance increases rate
of reaction by providing an
alternative pathway with
lower activation energy
and itself remained
chemically unchanged at
end of reaction. (***)

- Catalyst increase both rates of forward

and backward reaction by same extent.

-Catalyst increase both rates of forward

and backward reaction by same extent.

-Presence of catalyst allows equilibirum

to be reached more rapidly. => does
not affect position of equilibrium /
composition of equilibrium mixture.
(Has not effect on equilibrium [ ] of p and
r hence amount of A of equilibrium
remains unchanged.

-Presence of catalyst allows equilibirum

to be reached more rapidly. => does not
affect position of equilibrium /
composition of equilibrium mixture.
(Has not effect on equilibrium [ ] of p and
r hence amount of A of equilibrium
remains unchanged.

Kc remains unchanged

Kc remains unchanged