What does Le Chatelier's principle describe?

Le Chatelier's principle articulates how a dynamic equilibrium responds to external changes or disturbances. When a system at equilibrium experiences a change in concentration, temperature, or pressure, the system shifts in a direction that counteracts that change, thereby re-establishing equilibrium. This principle allows chemists to predict how a change in conditions will affect the concentrations of reactants and products.

For example, if the concentration of a reactant is increased, the equilibrium will shift to favor the formation of products to reduce that concentration. Similarly, if the temperature is raised in an exothermic reaction, the equilibrium will shift to favor the reactants, as the system attempts to absorb the additional heat. Understanding this principle is essential for controlling reaction conditions in chemical processes and predicting reaction yields.

This principle does not directly relate to the behavior of ideal gases under pressure, nor does it concern the effectiveness of catalysts or the rate of reactions. Instead, it fundamentally addresses the shifts in equilibrium states in response to changes in the system, which is why this answer is accurate.