Given the equilibrium #A(g)rightleftharpoonsB(g)#, what occurs if ....?

What occurs if #B# is removed?

1 Answer
anor277
Feb 16, 2017

#"The equilibrium is maintained............"#

Explanation:

#"Le Chatelier's principle"# holds that when a system at equilibrium is subject to external perturbation, the equilibrium will move so as to offset the external perturbation (as I have mentioned before #"offset "!=" counteract"#).

See this [old answer.](https://socratic.org/questions/what-is-le-chatelier-s-principle-for-systems-in-equilibrium).

And thus in the proposed scenario:

#A(g)rightleftharpoonsB(g)#,

if we remove #B# (by condensation for instance), the equilibrium will be driven to the right. Note that the equilibrium merely re-establishes itself by so moving. Chemists, and chemical engineers are good at manipulating these sorts of equilibria, so that they get good turnovers.

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