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Questions and Answers
What is Le Chatelier's principle primarily used for in chemistry?
What is Le Chatelier's principle primarily used for in chemistry?
What happens to the position of equilibrium when a system at equilibrium is disturbed by a change in one of the factors?
What happens to the position of equilibrium when a system at equilibrium is disturbed by a change in one of the factors?
Who developed the Le Chatelier's principle independently?
Who developed the Le Chatelier's principle independently?
What is the Le Chatelier-Braun principle considered as?
What is the Le Chatelier-Braun principle considered as?
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What was the year of publication of Le Chatelier's treatise?
What was the year of publication of Le Chatelier's treatise?
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What is the purpose of Le Chatelier's principle in chemistry?
What is the purpose of Le Chatelier's principle in chemistry?
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What happens to the reaction when there is a decrease in pressure?
What happens to the reaction when there is a decrease in pressure?
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What is the principle of Le Chatelier's primarily used to explain?
What is the principle of Le Chatelier's primarily used to explain?
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In which field has the LCB principle been suggested to govern the processes of sensation and perception?
In which field has the LCB principle been suggested to govern the processes of sensation and perception?
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What is the status of Le Chatelier's principle in relation to the laws of science?
What is the status of Le Chatelier's principle in relation to the laws of science?
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What is the purpose of Le Chatelier's principle?
What is the purpose of Le Chatelier's principle?
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What is the limitation of Le Chatelier's principle?
What is the limitation of Le Chatelier's principle?
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Study Notes
Le Chatelier's Principle
Definition and Historical Context
Le Chatelier's principle, also known as the Le Chatelier-Braun principle (LCB principle), is a concept in chemistry that was developed independently by Henri Louis Le Chatelier and Karl Ferdinand Braun in the late 19th century. The principle asserts that when a system in dynamic equilibrium is subjected to an external stress, it will adjust its composition to counteract the stress and establish a new equilibrium. The principle was first introduced in Le Chatelier's treatise, which was published in 1888.
The LCB principle is not a law, but rather a guideline that can be used to predict changes in chemical equilibria when a system is subjected to a disturbance. It complements the laws of chemistry by providing a simple rule of thumb for understanding reflex activity and predicting changes in chemical systems.
Application in Chemistry
Le Chatelier's principle is particularly useful in understanding how chemical systems respond to changes in temperature, pressure, or concentration of reactants or products. When a system at equilibrium is disturbed by changing one of these factors, the position of equilibrium shifts to counteract the change and re-establish equilibrium.
For example, if a system at equilibrium is subjected to an increase in pressure, the reaction will shift to the side with fewer moles of gas to reduce the pressure. A decrease in pressure will cause the reaction to shift in the opposite direction, producing more moles of gas.
Application in Other Scientific Fields
The LCB principle has been extended to other scientific fields, such as physics and psychology. In the field of psychology, it has been suggested that the principle governs the processes of sensation and perception, with a restoring influence acting to mute or turn off stimuli and restore equilibrium. This principle can be applied to advantage in sensory science, where it can help understand the mechanisms behind sensory adaptation and the response of organisms to changes in their environment.
Summary and Conclusions
Le Chatelier's principle is a fundamental concept in chemistry that helps explain how chemical systems respond to external stresses. It is a useful guide for predicting changes in chemical equilibria and has been extended to other scientific fields, such as psychology. The principle is not a law, but rather a rule of thumb that complements the laws of science. It provides a simple way to understand reflex activity and predict changes in chemical systems, but it should be used with caution, as it is an extrapolation of the known laws of chemistry, biochemistry, and biophysics. The incumbency remains to discover these laws in detail, relegating LCB to its proper place as an adjunctive principle.
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Description
Learn about Le Chatelier's principle, a concept in chemistry that explains how chemical systems respond to external stresses, and its applications in chemistry and other scientific fields. Discover how it helps predict changes in chemical equilibria and understand reflex activity. Explore its significance and limitations in chemistry and beyond.
