How does a temperature change differ from a concentration change in its effect on an equilibrium?
AIt shifts the position without any real stress
BIt affects only reactions that involve gases
CIt leaves the position of equilibrium unmoved
DIt alters the value of the equilibrium constant
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. It alters the value of the equilibrium constant
1. Changing a concentration moves the reaction quotient away from a fixed constant.
2. The system then shifts until the quotient returns to that same unchanged constant.
3. Changing the temperature is different, because the constant itself takes a new value.
4. The direction of the resulting shift can still be predicted by treating heat as a stress.
5. Temperature effects are not confined to gases, since solution equilibria respond too.
6. The position certainly does move, so calling it unmoved contradicts the observation.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 13 "Fundamental Equilibrium Concepts", section 13.3 Shifting Equilibria: Le Châtelier's Principle_
Keep practising Fundamental Equilibrium Concepts
Browse all Fundamental Equilibrium Concepts questions for GCE A-Level (Singapore), or explore more Chemistry topics.
Related questions
Swipe each change by the way it shiftsKnock out the false equilibrium claimsFor N2 + 3H2 forming 2NH3 with Kc = 6.00 x 10^-2, [N2] = 4.26 M and [H2] = 2.09 M. What isFor 0.15 M HCN with Kc = 4.9 x 10^-10, what is the hydrogen ion concentration at equilibriWhen may the change x be neglected against an initial concentration in an equilibrium calcA quadratic solved for an equilibrium change gives two roots. How is the unwanted one recoPCl5 at 1.00 M decomposes to PCl3 and Cl2 with Kc = 0.0211. What is [PCl5] at equilibrium?For N2 + O2 forming 2NO, Kc = 4.1 x 10^-4 with [N2] = 0.036 M and [O2] = 0.0089 M. What is