What happens when a product is removed from a system at equilibrium?

Enhance your knowledge and skills for the UCF CHM2046 Chemistry Fundamentals II Test 3. Dive into multiple choice questions with explanations and get confident for success in your exam!

When a product is removed from a system at equilibrium, the equilibrium shifts to favor the formation of more products. This phenomenon is described by Le Chatelier's principle, which states that if a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change in concentration, pressure, or temperature, the system will respond by shifting its equilibrium position to counteract that change.

In this case, removing a product decreases its concentration in the system. To restore balance, the reaction will shift to the right, promoting the conversion of reactants into products in order to increase the concentration of the removed species. This shift continues until a new equilibrium is established, where the concentrations of reactants and products reach a new balance that reflects the changes imposed on the system.

The other choices do not accurately reflect what occurs during this process. For instance, favoring reactants would imply increasing their formation rather than restoring the product after its removal, which contradicts the principles of equilibrium response. Thus, the correct answer is that the equilibrium shifts to favor products.

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