Why does Le Chatelier's principle work?

Question

Wyatt Atkins · Accepted Answer

Le Chatelier's principle works to relive stress on a system. The principle works to make a system more stable.

The laws of thermodynamics state that everything moves from order to disorder. Stack a bunch of blocks it creates an unstable system that will move to a more stable system by falling down. If there is a greater concentrations of products than reactants this is a more order system than a balanced concentration of products and reactants. The system will move spontaneously to relieve the stress and move to a less order state. ( this is the second law of thermodynamics, the law of entropy disorder always increases) Le Chatelier's principle works because a system will always move to relieve stress and move to a more disordered system.

Cameron Andrews · Answer

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Let's look at the equilibrium constant first. The other answer is correct, too: Le Chatlier's principle operates because the system is attempting to relieve a stress. #aA + bB = cC + dD# #K_eq = ([C]^c[D]^d)/([A]^a[B^b])# This is a constant. The K value will be a constant...which is why its called an equilibrium constant (assuming you don't mess with temperature). So if I add a stress...like adding more of C....the the system is going to try to relieve that stress. But, if i have more C, #[C]^c# is too big, and the K value gets all messed up. So, D goes down and A goes up and B goes up, and with all these things going down and up, my larger value for C #[C]^c# is compensated for by a lower D and higher A and higher B....and K stays the same.

Jose Ayala · Answer

undefined Le Chatelier's principle works because it describes the behavior of systems at equilibrium when subjected to external changes. It states that when a system at equilibrium is disturbed by changes in temperature, pressure, concentration, or volume, the system will adjust itself in order to counteract the change and re-establish equilibrium. This is based on the principle of minimizing the effect of the disturbance, thereby maintaining stability in the system.