Equilibrium Position - Temperature

Chemistry: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 6.2.4

Temperature and the Position of Equilibrium

Changing the temperature for a reaction at equilibrium takes the system out of equilibrium. The system will react to try and restore the equilibrium.

Decrease temperature

Decrease temperature

  • The position of equilibrium will shift in the exothermic direction.
  • The amount of products generated by the exothermic reaction will increase.
  • The amount of products generated by the endothermic reaction will decrease.
Increase temperature

Increase temperature

  • The position of equilibrium will shift in the endothermic direction.
  • The amount of products generated by the endothermic reaction will increase.
  • The amount of products generated by the exothermic reaction will decrease.

Test yourself on Equilibrium Position - Temperature

  • If the forward reaction of a reversible reaction is endothermic, what happens when the temperature is decreased?

  • What happens when you decrease the temperature associated with a reversible reaction at equilibrium?

  • What happens when you increase the temperature associated with a reversible reaction at equilibrium?

  • In a reversible reaction at equilibrium, increasing the temperature increases the amount of a particular product. What type of reaction forms that product?

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