How does increasing temperature affect the equilibrium of an exothermic reaction (Delta H < 0)?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Shifts equilibrium toward reactants and decreases K_eq
- Step 1: In an exothermic reaction, heat is released as a product. Step 2. By Le Chatelier's principle, adding thermal energy shifts equilibrium in the endothermic (backward) direction, lowering the equilibrium constant K_eq. Answer: Shifts equilibrium toward the reactants, decreasing the value of K_eq. Why not the others: Forward shift occurs for endothermic reactions; temperature changes always affect K_eq; reaction rates actually increase with temperature.
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