Le Chatelier’s Principle
Unit: Chemical Equilibrium
[Link]. 2nd Sem (Honours&Generic)
Prepared By
Shreemoyee Phukan
Silapathar College
The state of equilibrium is in a dynamic balance
between forward and backward reaction. This balance
can be disturbed by changing concentration,
temperature or pressure. If done so a certain net
change occurs in the system.
The direction of change can be predicted with the help
of Le-Chatelier principle. Le-Chatelier Principles states
that “”when a system in equilibrium is disturbed by a
change in concentration, pressure or temperature, a
'net' change occurs in it in a direction that tends to
decrease the disturbing factor.
Change in Concentration
Consider the state of equilibrium for the formation of ammonia
from nitrogen and hydrogen.
N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g), ∆H = –92.4 kJ/mole
The concentration of nitrogen, hydrogen and ammonia become
constant at the point of equilibrium. Now if any amount of
reactants or ammonia is added or removed their concentration
will change and the equilibrium will get disturbed.
(i) Increase concentration of reactant : When the
concentration of either nitrogen or hydrogen is increased;
a net forward reaction will take place which consumes the
added reactant.
(ii) (ii) Increase in the concentration of any product : If the
concentration of product ammonia is increased, a net
backward reaction would take place to utilize the added
ammonia.
Change in Pressure Change
Change in pressure affects equilibrium involving gaseous phase
either in a homogeneous or heterogeneous system. Le
Chatelier principle for systems involving gases can be studied as
follows :
(i) When the number of moles of products is more than the
total number of moles of reactants as in the following
system N2O4(g) 2NO2(g)
Increase in total pressure keeping the temperature constant,
will cause a decrease in volume. This means that the number of
moles per unit volume will increase. A net change will take
place in the equilibrium in the direction where the number of
moles decrease i.e. backward direction.
(ii) When the number of moles of products is less than
reactants. As in the following case N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g)
According to Le Chatelier's principle increase in total
pressure will bring a net change to the equilibrium in
the direction where the total number of moles is
decreasing i.e. to the product side as ∆ng = 2.
Decrease in total pressure will bring the net change to
equilibrium in the direction where the total number
of moles is increasing i.e. backward direction.
(iii) When there is no change in the total number of
moles of reactant and product as in the following
state of equilibrium. H2(g) + I2(g) 2HI
There is no net change in equilibrium state when
pressure is changed.
Change of Temperature
According to Le Chatelier principle, when the temperature is changed
(increased or decreased), the equilibrium system reacts to nullify the
change in heat content. However, the net change in equilibrium is directed
by the exothermic or endothermic nature of reaction.
(i) Exothermic equilibrium : For the following system of equilibrium of
exothermic nature : N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g); ∆H = – 92.4 kJ/mol
according to Le Chatelier principle, increase in temperature brings a net
change in the equilibrium state in that direction where this extra heat is
consumed. The net change is in the backward direction and some
ammonia will decompose producing nitrogen and hydrogen. Similarly if
the temperature is decreased the equilibrium shifts to the forward
direction.
(ii) Endothermic equilibrium :
N2(g) + O2(g) 2NO(g); ∆H = + 180.7 kJ/mol–1
If the temperature is increased the added heat will be absorbed by the
reactant and the net change takes place to the equilibrium in the forward
direction. If the temperature in decreased it will bring a 'net' change to
equilibrium in the backward direction i.e. direction in which it is
exothermic.
Addition of a Catalyst :
It does not affect the equilibrium. However it
helps to achieve the equilibrium faster.
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