Which of the following statements best describes Lechatelier's principle?
A. The law states that the total pressure of a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of the individual gases.
B. The principle states that the rate of a chemical reaction is directly proportional to the concentration of the reactants.
C. The principle states that a change in the variables describing a system at equilibrium causes the equilibrium position to shift to counteract the change.
D. The law states that the volume of a gas at constant temperature is inversely proportional to its pressure.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. C.
The principle states that a change in the variables describing a system at equilibrium causes the equilibrium position to shift to counteract the change.
In essence, if a stress (like a change in temperature, pressure, or concentration of reactants/products) is applied to a system at chemical equilibrium, the system will adjust itself to minimize that stress and re-establish a new equilibrium. This principle is fundamental to understanding how various factors influence the direction and extent of reversible chemical reactions.