A mixture at equilibrium is heated. Which of the two reactions is then favoured?
AThe exothermic one
BThe faster one only
CThe slower one only
DThe endothermic one
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. The endothermic one
1. Le Chatelier's principle says the equilibrium shifts so as to reduce the effect of any change forced on it.
2. Raising the temperature is a change the system will try to oppose by cooling itself.
3. The reaction that takes energy in is the endothermic one.
4. So heating a mixture at equilibrium favours the endothermic reaction.
5. Cooling the mixture would do the opposite and favour the exothermic reaction instead.
_Source: Siyavula Physical Sciences Grade 12 (Everything Science, CC BY 4.0), Chapter 8: Chemical equilibrium_
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