Question

How can you use Le Chatelier’s principle to increase yield of chemical reaction?

Answer 1

Hint:‌With the passage of time, if a chemical reaction does not show any change in the properties of temperature, pressure or concentration, then it is known as equilibrium. When these factors like pressure, temperature, concentration are changed, then equilibrium will shift to only in that direction where the change can be nullified.


Complete answer:
Le Chatelier’s principle is also known as equilibrium law, which is used for the prediction of the effect of change on a system in equilibrium.
Let us discuss some effects of change on equilibrium:
Effect of concentration: If the concentration of the reactant is increased, forward reaction takes place and if the concentration of reactant is decreased, backward reaction takes place.
Effect of pressure: If pressure is increased, then there will be decrease in formation of product and if the pressure is decreased, then there will be increase in the formation of product.
Change in temperature: For exothermic equilibrium, if the temperature is increased then there will be decrease in product formation and if the temperature is decreased, then there will be increase in the product formation.
For endothermic equilibrium, if temperature is increased, then there will be increase in the product formation and if the temperature is decreased, then there will be decrease in the product formation.
To favor the product side, we need to manipulate the condition, and therefore, the yield is increased.
Following are the conditions:
1) In aqueous solution, we can increase the concentration of the reactant.
2) We can decrease the temperature in an exothermic reaction.
3) We can increase the temperature in an endothermic reaction.
4) The reaction will go towards the product, if increase in pressure takes place for a gaseous system where the product has less moles.

Note:The equilibrium adjusts itself in forward reaction and backward reaction and accepts the changes affecting equilibrium condition.Le Chatelier’s principle is also used to manipulate reversible reaction to improve the yield.