5.4.3

Temperature & Le Châtelier’s Principle

Test yourself

Temperature & Le Châtelier’s Principle

When an equilibrium shifts in response to a temperature change, it is re-established with a different relative composition that exhibits a different value for the equilibrium constant.

Illustrative background for Temperature changes & $$K$$Illustrative background for Temperature changes & $$K$$ ?? "content

Temperature changes & KK

  • Changes in the concentration of reactants or products change the value of QQ, whereas changes in temperature affect KK.
    • Consistent with the law of mass action, an equilibrium stressed by a change in concentration will shift to re-establish equilibrium without any change in KK.
    • When an equilibrium shifts in response to a temperature change, however, it is re-established with a different relative composition that exhibits a different value for the KK.
Illustrative background for Endothermic vs exothermic Illustrative background for Endothermic vs exothermic  ?? "content

Endothermic vs exothermic

  • Predicting the shift an equilibrium will experience in response to a change in temperature is most conveniently accomplished by considering the enthalpy change of the reaction.
  • For example, the decomposition of dinitrogen tetroxide is an endothermic (heat-consuming) process:

    • N2O4(g)⇌2NO2(g)   Δ𝐻=+57.20 kJ
Illustrative background for Heat as a reactantIllustrative background for Heat as a reactant ?? "content

Heat as a reactant

  • For purposes of applying Le Chatelier’s principle, heat (q) may be viewed as a reactant:
    • Heat + N2O4(g)⇌2NO2(g)
  • Raising the temperature of the system is akin to increasing the amount of a reactant, and so the equilibrium will shift to the right.
  • Lowering the system temperature will likewise cause the equilibrium to shift left.
    • For exothermic processes, heat is viewed as a product of the reaction and so the opposite temperature dependence is observed.
Illustrative background for CatalystsIllustrative background for Catalysts ?? "content

Catalysts

  • Catalysts increase the rate of forward and reverse reactions equally, so have no impact on equilibrium position.

Jump to other topics

1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2Periodic Trends

3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4Halogens

3.5Noble gases, group 18

3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7Functional Group Chemistry

3.8Alkanes

3.9Alcohols

3.10Halogenoalkanes

4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium