Lesson 7: Le- Chateller’s Principle A + 2B ⇌ C + D

∆H = - kJ mol -1
Le Chateller’s Principle states that if a stress (changes
in reaction conditions) is applied to a system in equilibrium,
then the systems adjust in order to reduce the effect of the
stress applied. The position of equilibrium moves to the
left if you increase the temperature
The stress that may affect a system at chemical
equilibrium include changes in the concentration of either A + 2B ⇌ C + D ∆
-1
products or reactants, changes in temperature and changes in H = - kJ mol
pressure for gaseous equilibria.

1. Increasing the concentration of a substance in an The position of equilibrium moves to the

equilibrium mixture displaces the equilibrium in the right if you decrease the temperature.
direction which consumes some of the added material. 3. When the pressure is increased (by decreasing the
Conversely, decreasing the concentration of a substance volume of the container), the system adjusts by
favors the reaction which produces it. reducing the total pressure exerted by the gas particles
A + 2B ⇌ C + D which may be predicted using a balanced chemical
equation.

The position of equilibrium moves to

the
right if you increase the concentration of A(g) + 2B(g) ⇌ C(g) + D(g)
A

2. When the temperature is increased, the reaction which

The position of equilibrium moves to the right
consumes the applied heat is favoured i.e. the reaction
If you increase the pressure on the reaction
which is endothermic. When the temperature is
decreased, the reaction which produces heat is favoured
Desired Weak Acid Weak Base ka pka
i.e. the reaction which is exothermic. pH (weak
 acid)
4 Lactic Acid Lactate ion 1.4 x 3.85
(HLac) (Lac-) 10-4
5 Acetic Acid Acetate ion 1.8 x 4.74
(HC2H3O2) (C2H3O2-) 10-5
6 Carbonic Acid Hydrogen 4.4 x 6.38
(H2CO3) carbonate ion 10-7
(HCO3-)
7 Dihydrogen Hydrogen 6.2 x 7.21
phosphate phosphate 10-8
(H2PO4) (HPO4-)
8 Hypochlorus Hypochlorite 2.8 x 7.55
Acid ion 10-9
(HClO) (ClO-)

9 Ammonium ion Ammonia 5.6 x 9.25

(NH4+) (NH3) 10-10
10 Hydrogen Carbonate ion 4.7 x 10.32
carbonate (CO3-2) 10-11
(HCO3-)