Explain Le Chatelier’s principle with an example.

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Detailed Solution

Le Chatelier’s principle states that if a system at equilibrium is disturbed by changing conditions such as concentration, temperature, or pressure, the system will shift its equilibrium position to counteract the disturbance.

Example:
In the synthesis of ammonia by Haber’s process:

N_2 (g) + 3H_2 (g) ⇌ 2NH_3 (g) + Heat

$N$ $2$ $$ $($ $g$ $)$ $+$ $3$ $H$ $2$ $$ $($ $g$ $)$ $⇌$ $2$ $NH$ $3$ $$ $($ $g$ $)$ $+$ $Heat$

If pressure is increased, the equilibrium shifts to the right (towards fewer moles of gas) to produce more ammonia.
If temperature is increased, equilibrium shifts to the left (because the reaction is exothermic), reducing ammonia yield.

This principle helps in optimizing industrial chemical reactions.

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