What does Le Chatelier's principle address?

Le Chatelier's principle specifically addresses how a system at equilibrium responds to changes in external conditions, such as concentration, temperature, and pressure. When a dynamic equilibrium is disturbed, the system will adjust in such a way as to counteract that disturbance and re-establish a new equilibrium state.

For instance, if the concentration of a reactant in a reversible reaction is increased, the principle suggests that the system will shift towards the formation of more products to minimize the change. Similarly, if temperature changes, it can affect the equilibrium position; for an endothermic reaction, increasing temperature will favor the forward reaction, while for an exothermic reaction, it will favor the reverse.

Understanding Le Chatelier's principle is crucial for chemists as it helps predict how changes in conditions will influence chemical reactions, making it an essential concept in chemical equilibrium.