Le Chatelier's Principle for SAT 12 GRADE

Collected and managed by :
Teacher : engineer Samer Mahmoud
SANDS Academy - Amman - Jordan

Here we will see how one can solve and find the possible techniques to answer Le Chatelier's Principle for SAT 12 GRADE .Here is a very simple and brief explination about this principle

If a system is at equilibrium, and we do something to it, it will shift in a particular way. It is quite easy to predict the behavior of equilibria if we know about these three simple situations!

Any factor that can affect the rate of either the forward or reverse reaction relative to the other can potentially affect the equilibrium position. The following factors can change the chemical equilibrium position of a reaction:

1. concentration
2. 1. temperature
3. 1. pressure (for gaseous reactants)

It is important to understand what effect a change in one of these factors will have on a system that is in chemical equilibrium. However, performing an experiment every time to find out would waste a lot of time. Towards the end of the 1800s the French chemist Henry Louis Le Chatelier came up with principle to predict those effects.

When an external stress (change in pressure, temperature or concentration) is applied to a system in chemical equilibrium, the equilibrium will change in such a way as to reduce the effect of the stress.

Chemical Equilibrium and Le Chatelier's Principle Theory

Effect of Concentration Changes on Equilibrium and Product Formation
As per Le Chatelier’s principles, the only way of equilibrium to accept more reactant is to increase product formation. The forward reaction is favoured when the concentration of the reactant is increased. The equilibrium of the reaction shift towards the use of reactants in the reaction, which decreases the concentration of the reactants.

Similarly, the addition of product (concentration/pressure) shall increase the backward reaction to decrease the product concentration. The backward reaction is favoured when the concentration of the reactant decreases and equilibrium of the reaction shift towards the production of reactants and concentration of the reactants will be more.

Example:

Consider a reaction between oxygen and sulfur dioxide to produce sulfur trioxide.

2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇋ 2SO3(g)

If the concentration of the reactant increases then

Equilibrium will shift towards the decrease in the concentration of the reactants.
More favoured for the forward reaction.
Some of the SO2 or O2 to form SO3.
Equilibrium of the reaction shift towards the right.
If the concentration of the reactant decreases then

Equilibrium will shift towards the increase in the concentration of the reactants.
More favoured for the backward reaction.
Some of the SO3would change to SO2 or O2.
Equilibrium of the reaction shift towards the left.
If the product decreases then

Equilibrium of the reaction shift to increases the concentration of the sulfur trioxide.
Increase in the forward reaction rate.
Some of the SO2 or O2 to form SO3.
Equilibrium of the reaction shift towards the right.
If the product increases then

Equilibrium of the reaction shift to decrease the concentration of the sulfur trioxide.
Increase in the reverse reaction rate.
Some of the SO3would change to SO2 or O2.
Equilibrium of the reaction shift towards the left.

Effect of Change of Volume, Pressure, or Inert Gas on Equilibrium and Product Formation
Kp = Kc (RT)Δn = Kc (p/v)Δn

Change of volume, pressure, or inert gases has no effect on reactions of liquids and solids. They may have an effect in gaseous reactions and that too only when the difference in the sum of the number of reactant and product molecules (∆n) is not zero.

When ∆n = 0:

As per the Le Chatelier’s principles, there will be no effect on Equilibrium and Product Formation on changing the volume, pressure or inert gas.

When ∆n = +ve:

Increase of pressure or decrease in volume will decrease the formation of the product. Decrease of pressure or increase of volume shall have the opposite effect of increasing the product formation.

Inert gases do not take part in the reaction and shall increase the volume or pressure only.

At constant pressure, the addition of inert gas increases the volume, so increase the product formation.
At constant volume, the addition of inert gas increases the pressure, so decreases the product formation.
PCl5 ⇌ PCl3 + PCl2

In the decomposition of phosphorus pentachloride ∆n = +1.

Increase of pressure or decrease in volume decreases the decomposition of PCl5

At constant pressure, the addition of inert gas increases the PCl5 formation.
At constant volume, the addition of inert gas decreases the PCl5 formation.
When ∆n = -ve:

As per Le Chatelier’s principle, an increase of pressure or decrease in volume will increase the formation of the product.

At constant pressure, the addition of inert gas increases the volume, so decrease the product formation.
At constant volume, the addition of inert gas increases the pressure, so increases the product formation
N2 + 3H2 ⇌ 2NH3

In the formation of ammonia ∆n = -2. The increase of pressure or decrease in volume increases the formation of ammonia.

At constant pressure, the addition of inert gas decreases ammonia formation.
At constant volume, the addition of inert gas increases ammonia formation.

Effect of Change of Temperature on Equilibrium and Product Formation
The individual reaction in the equilibrium can be either endothermic or exothermic. Likewise, at equilibrium net energy involved may make the reversible reactions either endothermic or exothermic.

According to Le Chatelier’s Principles,

In exothermic equilibrium, an increase in temperature decreases the product formation and decrease in temperature increases product formation.
In endothermic reactions, an increase in temperature increases the product formation and decrease in temperature decreases the product formation
Le Chatelier’s Principles
Le Chatelier’s Principle on Change of Temperature

As per the Van’t Hoff equation, for an exothermic equilibrium, ∆H will be negative. Increase of temperature shall decrease K2 or decrease in temperature increases K2. The opposite is true for an endothermic reaction.

Example:

Consider a reaction

N2(g)+ 3H2(g) ⇋ 2NH3(g) ΔH=−92kJ

Increase in Temperature

This prefers an endothermic reaction because it takes energy.
An endothermic reaction is a reverse reaction and it is favoured.
The yield of product (NH3) decreases.
Decrease in Temperature

This prefers an exothermic reaction because it gives energy.
An exothermic reaction is a forward reaction and it is favoured.
The yield of product (NH3) increases.

Effect of Catalyst on Equilibrium and Product Formation
A catalyst is a substance that changes the rate of reactions (increase or decrease) without quantitatively taking part in the reaction.

In a reversible reaction, the change of reaction rate is the same for both forward and backward reactions.

The ratio of the reaction rates remains the same and so the equilibrium constant. According to Le Chatelier’s principles, the presence of the catalyst may speed up or delay the attainment of equilibrium but will not affect the equilibrium concentration.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Consider the following reaction

COBr2(g)⇌ CO(g)+Br2(g)

The reaction is allowed to reach equilibrium. When inert argon (Ar) gas is added what happens to the reaction?
Answer:
The reaction will be in equilibrium.

1. Consider a following exothermic reaction
   2H2 (g)+O2 (g) ⇌ 2H2 O(g)
   If the temperature is decreased what happens to the reaction?
   Answer:
   The forward reaction is favoured.
2. Consider a reaction
   3 H2(g) + N2(g) ⇌ 2 NH3(g)
   What happens when H2 is added to the following system at equilibrium

Answer:

In order to be in equilibrium, the reaction shift towards the product.