Kc is only constant at a particular temperature. Changing the temperature changes the value of Kc.If the reaction is endothermic:Kc increases with temperature and the position of equilibrium moves to the right.If the reaction is exothermic:Kc decreases with temperature and the position of equilibrium moves to the left.
The Effect of Changing Temperature on Kc
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Specification: AQA Chemistry (7404), AS-level, 3.1.6.2 Equilibrium constant Kc for homogeneous systems and 3.1.6.1 Chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier's principle. Topic: Equilibria.
Key terms in this lesson
- Exothermic
- Describes a reaction in which energy is transferred from the system to the surroundings, so the enthalpy change is negative.
- Endothermic
- Describes a reaction in which energy is transferred from the surroundings to the system, so the enthalpy change is positive.
- Equilibrium constant
- A value, Kc, that expresses the relative concentrations of products and reactants at equilibrium for a reaction.
- Position of equilibrium
- The relative amounts of reactants and products present when a reversible reaction has reached equilibrium.
More in Equilibria
- The Equilibrium Constant Kc
- Finding the Value of Kc
- Example Question - 1
- Example Question - 2
- Example Question - 3
- The Effect of Changing Concentration on the Position of Equilibrium
- Kc and the Position of Equilibrium
- Catalysts
All 20 lessons in Equilibria · All AQA AS-level Chemistry topics