Equilibrium describes the balance that results from a forward and reverse reaction proceeding at equal rates. Since reaction rat
es depend on concentration, temperature, and pressure, any changes in these conditions may alter the forward and reverse rates unequally and disrupt the equilibrium.
Lowering the temperature will produce the opposite response. If the reaction is endothermic as written, an increase in temperature will cause the forward reaction to occur, increasing the amounts of the products and decreasing the amounts of reactants. Lowering the temperature will produce the opposite response.
When the forward and reverse reactions for a reversible reaction take place at the same rate, the system is at equilibrium and the concentrations of both the products and reactants stay the same. We learned that as the concentration of reactants increases, the rate of the reaction increases.
