_. LeChatelier’s Principle If a system at equilibrium is subjected to a stress, the equilibrium will shift in the direction that tends to relieve the stress. If something is increased, the change will be for something to decrease. 1. Changes in concentration «Adding reactant will cause the reaction to shift right or make more product, * Adding product will cause a shift left or make more reactant. + Removing product will cause a shift right to replace it. Nag) + 3Hag) <==> 2NHaq) + heat Add H; shifts right. Add NHs shifts left. Remove NHs shifts right. 2. Changes in temperature * Adding heat causes a shift that will absorb heat. * Removing heat causes a shift that will produce heat. Nowa) + 3Hag) <==> 2NHa) + heat Add heat shifts left. Remove heat shifts right. 3. Changes in pressure will affect systems in which some products and reactants are gases. A shift will occur only if there are an unequal number of moles of gas on each side of the equation. Nag) + 3Hag) <==> 2NH3qg) + heat Increase pressure shifts right. Reduce pressure shifts left. 4. Catalysts reduce the time it takes to reach equilibrium, but they do not affect the amounts of reactants and products present at equilibrium. 5. Adding an inert gas to a system has no effect on equilibrium.