In a reaction at equilibrium, if the concentration of a reactant is decreased, what will happen?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
In a reaction at equilibrium, if the concentration of a reactant is decreased, what will happen?
Shift to the right
Shift to the left
No change
Increase the rate of reaction
According to Le Chatelier's principle, decreasing the concentration of a reactant will shift the equilibrium to the left to produce more reactants.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: In a reaction at equilibrium, if the concentration of a reactant is decreased, what will happen?
Solution: According to Le Chatelier's principle, decreasing the concentration of a reactant will shift the equilibrium to the left to produce more reactants.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand that a reaction at equilibrium means the forward and reverse reactions are happening at the same rate.
Step 2: Recognize that reactants are the starting materials in a chemical reaction.
Step 3: Know that Le Chatelier's principle states that if a change is made to a system at equilibrium, the system will adjust to counteract that change.
Step 4: When the concentration of a reactant is decreased, the system will try to increase it back to restore equilibrium.
Step 5: To increase the concentration of the reactant, the equilibrium will shift to the left, favoring the formation of more reactants from the products.