What happens to the Kc value if the temperature of a reaction increases?

The value of the equilibrium constant, Kc, is temperature-dependent. When the temperature of a reaction changes, Kc can either increase or decrease depending on whether the reaction is exothermic or endothermic.

For exothermic reactions, where heat is released, an increase in temperature shifts the equilibrium position to favor the reactants. This leads to a decrease in Kc. Conversely, for endothermic reactions, which absorb heat, an increase in temperature shifts the equilibrium position to favor the products, resulting in an increase in Kc.

Thus, depending on the nature of the reaction—whether it absorbs or releases heat—the Kc value will adjust accordingly to reflect the new conditions of the system. This relationship is described by Le Chatelier's principle, which states that if an external change is applied to a system at equilibrium, the system will respond to counteract that change. Therefore, it is accurate to say that Kc can increase or decrease depending on the specific reaction being considered.