How does temperature influence the equilibrium constant?

The influence of temperature on the equilibrium constant is determined by the nature of the reaction—specifically, whether it is exothermic or endothermic. An increase in temperature can shift the position of equilibrium according to Le Chatelier's Principle.

For an endothermic reaction, which absorbs heat, increasing the temperature provides more energy to the system. This shift favors the formation of products, thereby increasing the equilibrium constant. In this scenario, as the temperature rises, the reaction will counteract this change by favoring the direction that consumes the added heat—namely, the forward reaction which produces more products.

In contrast, for exothermic reactions, raising the temperature would favor the reverse reaction, resulting in a decrease in the equilibrium constant, as the system would shift to produce more reactants to absorb the excess heat.

Thus, the correct statement about the influence of temperature on the equilibrium constant aligns with the understanding that an increase in temperature favors endothermic reactions, making it clear why this choice accurately reflects the temperature dependence of equilibrium constants.