If the concentration of products increases in a reversible reaction, what happens to the equilibrium position?

Prepare for the NCEA Level 2 Chemistry Exam with quizzes. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Start your exam preparation today!

In a reversible reaction, the position of equilibrium is influenced by changes in the concentration of reactants and products, as described by Le Chatelier's principle. When the concentration of products increases, the system responds to this change by attempting to restore equilibrium.

The principle states that if a change is made to the conditions of an equilibrium system, the system will shift in a direction that counteracts that change. In this case, as the concentration of products increases, the equilibrium position will shift to favor the formation of reactants. However, if the question is specifically about what occurs favorably due to increased product concentrations, the system responds initially by shifting to reduce the amount of products, thus favoring the reactants.

As a result, the correct understanding is that the system does not favor products with an increase in their concentration; instead, it attempts to reduce their concentration by shifting toward reactants. This shift is fundamentally what maintains the balance in a reversible reaction.

Therefore, the correct answer indicating that the system shifts to favor products needs to be reconsidered, as it logically contradicts the expected behavior of equilibrium systems under the given conditions. The correct response should reflect the shift towards reactants instead.

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