Le Châtelier’s Principle

Le Châtelier’s Principle (LCP) is a tool used to predict how a system at equilibrium will respond to changes in its conditions.

The principle states that if a chemical reaction is at equilibrium and experiences a change in pressure, temperature, or concentration of products or reactants, then the equilibrium position will shift in a direction that partially counteracts this imposed change.

For example, if you increase the temperature of a chemical reaction at equilibrium, the system will try to cool itself by shifting the equilibrium position in the endothermic (heat absorbing) direction.

Similarly, if you add more of a reactant to a chemical reaction at equilibrium, then the system will try to counteract this change by shifting the equilibrium position to the right and producing more products.