What is the effect on equilibrium when reactants are removed?

When reactants are removed from a chemical system at equilibrium, according to Le Chatelier's principle, the equilibrium position shifts to counteract the change that has occurred. In the case of removing reactants, the system responds by shifting to the left to produce more of the reactants that were taken away. This shift helps to restore the balance of the reaction by favoring the direction that generates more reactants.

The concept is based on the idea that a system at equilibrium will adjust to minimize any stress or change imposed upon it. Removing reactants lowers their concentration, prompting the reaction to favor the formation of reactants from products. This adjustment leads to a decreased concentration of products as the equilibrium shifts.

The other options do not accurately reflect the behavior of the system when reactants are removed. Any suggestion that the equilibrium shifts to the right or has no effect misrepresents the system’s response to such a disturbance. Thus, the correct understanding is that the equilibrium shifts to the left, which is the mechanism the system employs to counteract the removal of reactants.