Le Chatelier’s Principle is a fundamental concept in chemistry that helps predict how a system at equilibrium will respond to changes in concentration, temperature, or pressure.

In essence, the principle can be summarized as “the system will shift in the direction that opposes the change.” Here are some key points:

1. Change in Concentration:

   • Increase in Reactant Concentration: The system will shift to produce more products.

   • Increase in Product Concentration: The system will shift to produce more reactants.

2. Change in Temperature:

   • Increase in Temperature: For an exothermic reaction (releases heat), the system will shift to the left (towards reactants). For an endothermic reaction (absorbs heat), the system will shift to the right (towards products).

   • Decrease in Temperature: The opposite happens. For exothermic, it shifts right; for endothermic, it shifts left.

3. Change in Pressure:

   • This mainly affects reactions involving gases. An increase in pressure will favor the side with fewer moles of gas, while a decrease in pressure will favor the side with more moles of gas.

Le Chatelier’s Principle helps predict the direction of the shift in equilibrium when external conditions change, allowing chemists to optimize reactions for desired outcomes.