According to Le Chatelier's principle, how does a system at equilibrium respond to a disturbance?

A system at equilibrium will respond to a disturbance by shifting in a direction that counteracts the effects of that disturbance. This is a fundamental aspect of Le Chatelier's principle, which states that if an external change is applied to a system at equilibrium, the system will adjust in such a way as to partially counteract that change and re-establish equilibrium.

For instance, if the concentration of a reactant is increased, the equilibrium will shift towards the products to reduce the effect of this increase. Similarly, if temperature or pressure is altered, the system will shift in a manner that alleviates that change. This principle is crucial for predicting how systems will respond to various stresses, such as changes in concentration, temperature, or pressure, ensuring that the dynamic balance of the equilibrium is maintained.