What does Le Chatelier's principle state about equilibrium?

Le Chatelier's principle states that if a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change in concentration, temperature, or pressure, the system will react in a way that counteracts the disturbance and restores a new equilibrium. This means that when equilibrium is disturbed, the position of the equilibrium shifts to favor either the forward or reverse reaction in order to minimize the effect of the change.

For example, if the concentration of a reactant is increased, the equilibrium will shift to produce more products to reduce the concentration of the reactant. Similarly, if there is a change in temperature, the system will favor the endothermic or exothermic direction to compensate for that change.

This principle is essential in understanding dynamic equilibria in chemical systems and highlights how reactions can be manipulated by altering external conditions. The other options do not accurately reflect the behavior of equilibria under disturbance, as they either suggest that equilibrium is unaffected by changes or that any disturbance leads to a complete and permanent loss of equilibrium.