If a change in conditions is imposed on a system at equilibrium, what will the system's response be?

If a change in conditions is imposed on a system at equilibrium, what will the system's response be?

• A. Remain the same
• B. Shift to favor products
• C. Shift to increase the change in conditions
• D. Shift to reduce the change in conditions

Answer: (D)

The correct response to a change in conditions imposed on a system at equilibrium is that the system will shift to reduce the change in conditions. This is based on Le Chatelier's Principle, which states that when a dynamic equilibrium is disturbed by changing the conditions, the position of equilibrium shifts to counteract the change. For example, if the concentration of a reactant is increased, the system will respond by favoring the formation of products to consume the excess reactant. Similarly, if the temperature of an exothermic reaction is increased, the equilibrium will shift toward the reactants, reducing the temperature by favoring the endothermic direction. In essence, the primary goal of the system at equilibrium is to minimize the impact of any changes imposed on it, maintaining stability. This principle applies broadly to changes in concentration, pressure, and temperature, illustrating the dynamic nature of chemical equilibria and the inherent ability of a system to respond to external changes in order to achieve a new equilibrium position.

The correct response to a change in conditions imposed on a system at equilibrium is that the system will shift to reduce the change in conditions. This is based on Le Chatelier's Principle, which states that when a dynamic equilibrium is disturbed by changing the conditions, the position of equilibrium shifts to counteract the change.

For example, if the concentration of a reactant is increased, the system will respond by favoring the formation of products to consume the excess reactant. Similarly, if the temperature of an exothermic reaction is increased, the equilibrium will shift toward the reactants, reducing the temperature by favoring the endothermic direction. In essence, the primary goal of the system at equilibrium is to minimize the impact of any changes imposed on it, maintaining stability.

This principle applies broadly to changes in concentration, pressure, and temperature, illustrating the dynamic nature of chemical equilibria and the inherent ability of a system to respond to external changes in order to achieve a new equilibrium position.