LeChatelier’s Principle

 Henri LeChâtelier was a French chemist who

experimented with different chemical
equilibrium systems and summarized his
work in the following principle:

 A dynamic equilibrium tends to respond so as

to relieve the effect of any change in the
conditions that affect the equilibrium.
1. Concentration Example:
2. Temperature Changes:
Endothermic Vs Exothermic:

In an ENDOTHERMIC reaction (∆H > 0):

 An increase in temperature shifts the equilibrium to the
right, forming more products.

 A decrease in temperature shifts the equilibrium to the left,

forming more reactants.

In an EXOTHERMIC reaction (∆H < 0):

 An increase in temperature shifts the equilibrium to the left,
forming more reactants.

 A decrease in temperature shifts the equilibrium to the right,

forming more products.
Ex) Co(H2O)62+ + 4 Cl-  CoCl42- + 6 H2O + heat
(violet) (pink)
3. Pressure Changes
4. Changes that do not affect the
position of Equilibrium Systems
Volume is constant NO
Total pressure increased
SHIFT
Partial pressure of reactants
and products is constant

Volume is increased
Total pressure constant SHIFTS TO
Partial pressure of reactants INCREASES
and products decreases PRESSURE
Example:
Le Châtelier’s Principle Section 7.4
For the equilibrium shown, how could you decrease the amount
of NO2(g) present in the container? Assume it is a closed system.

N2O4(g) + heat ⇌ 2 NO2(g)

Why does this change work?

Le Châtelier’s Principle Section 7.4
For the equilibrium shown, how could you decrease the amount
of NO2(g) present in the container? Assume it is a closed system.

N2O4(g) + heat ⇌ 2 NO2(g)

Push the piston down, or

decrease the temperature

Why does this change work? Decreasing the temperature

causes the system to shift to make more energy, favouring the reverse
reaction. Increasing the pressure causes the system to shift to
produce fewer gaseous molecules, favouring the reverse reaction.