consider the equation for the following reaction at equilibrium. X+Y<-->2Z+heat the concentration of the product could be increased by
1.adding a catalyst
2.adding more heat to the system
3.increasing the concentration of Y
4.decreasing the concentration of X
2 answers
Le Chatlier's Principle, in very simple terms, tells us that a system in equilibrium will shift (to the left or to the right) so as to undo what we did. You know adding a catalyst NEVER changes the equilibrium. I'll give you an example for 2. Adding heat means the reaction will undo what we did. What is that/ It will try to undo the heat we've added meaning that it will shift so as to use up the heat that's been added. Look at the reaction. It produces heat going from left to right. It uses heat going from right to left. Therefore, adding heat will make it go to the left which will NOT produce more products. Instead it will lessen the products. Is that what you want. No, therefore, 2 is not the right answer. Now you do 3 and 4 and see which will produce products.(Note: It is difficult to answer questions when something decreases, at least for me, so what I do for a question that decreases something, such as #4, is to reverse it; i.e., add X and see what happens so decreasing X must do the opposite.)
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