What would happen to a system at equilibrium if the temperature were changed?

Question

What would happen to a system at equilibrium if the  temperature were changed?

Jeremiah Adams · Accepted Answer

An increase in temperature shifts to the reactant side in a exothermic reaction. In an endothermic reaction, the sift is toward the product side.

Le Chatelier states that a stress that disturbs equilibrium moves to the opposite side in order to release the tension. Since heat is released in an exothermic reaction, rising temperatures cause the equilibrium to move to the reactant side of the reaction, while falling temperatures cause the reaction to move to the product side. Since heat is absorbed by the reaction in an endothermic reaction, an increase in temperature will shift to the product side, and a decrease in temperature will shift to the reactant side. The equilibrium constant will rise with any shifts to the product side and fall with any shifts to the reactant side.

Kai Bowman · Answer

undefined If the temperature of a system at equilibrium is changed, the equilibrium position will shift to counteract the change in temperature, according to Le Chatelier's principle. If the temperature increases, the equilibrium will shift in the endothermic direction (towards the side of the reaction that absorbs heat) to consume the excess heat. If the temperature decreases, the equilibrium will shift in the exothermic direction (towards the side of the reaction that releases heat) to compensate for the loss of heat.