Le Chatelier’s principle states that changes in conditions such as temperature, pressure, volume, and concentration will result in opposing forces balancing the equilibrium of a chemical solution. This principle, named after French chemist Henry Louis Le Chatelier, is used to predict the outcome of chemical reactions and increase product yield. It can be applied to other areas of science and physics. An example of this principle in action is the surface level of water in a U-shaped pipe.
Le Chatelier’s principle is a simple law of physics relating to the scientific study of chemistry and chemical reactions. This principle states that the equilibrium of a chemical solution balances itself when changes in conditions are introduced, such as temperature, pressure, volume and concentration. The opposing forces will balance these changes, resulting in a new point of equilibrium. Le Chatelier’s principle has been applied to other areas of science and physics under many different names. In all incarnations of the principle, it can easily be summed up in layman’s terms: change in a system results in an opposite reaction to achieve equilibrium.
This physical law is named after its discoverer, the French chemist Henry Louis Le Chatelier. He wrote no fewer than 30 scientific papers detailing his research and laboratory experiments from 1884 to 1914. These combined works later became known as Le Chatelier’s principle. His research has been important in the field of chemistry because it has provided a basis for researchers to effectively predict the outcome of changes in the equilibrium of chemical solutions.
Using Le Chatelier’s principle, chemistry researchers can effectively predict the outcome of their experiments. For example, they may provide that a chemical reaction that produces an endothermic action can be altered by introducing a separate exothermic reaction. The ability to predict the reaction and balanced states of chemical solutions is often used to increase the product yield of a reaction by providing controlled variables. This law is also applied to medical chemistry to create drugs that block receptors for certain chemicals in the body.
To understand how Le Chatelier’s principle works in the field of chemistry, it helps to look at an example from the world of physics. This physical law works on a cause and effect basis. An example would be the surface level of water in a U-shaped pipe. With such a pipe, an individual can pour water into one side and the water level of the other side will rise until the level of the water in both sides will be equal. At this point the water has reached equilibrium.
With the water in equilibrium, the levels on both sides of the tube are balanced. If an external force is exerted on the water in one side of the pipe, such as the downward pressure of a plunger, the water level on the other side will rise and establish a new equilibrium point. If the plunger has a hole, the water will gradually leak past the plunger and return to another equilibrium point.
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