Explain the equilibrium law as it relates to chemical equilibrium. Describe the types of stresses that cause chemical reactions in equilibrium to make more products.

When a reaction has reached equilibrium with a given set of conditions, if the conditions are not changed, the reaction will remain at equilibrium forever. The forward and reverse reactions continue at the same equal and opposite rates and the macroscopic properties remain constant.

It is possible, however, to disturb that equilibrium by changing conditions. For example, you could increase the concentration of one of the products, or decrease the concentration of one of the reactants, or change the temperature. When a change of this type is made within a reaction at equilibrium, the reaction is no longer in equilibrium. When you alter something in a reaction at equilibrium, chemists say that you put stress on the equilibrium. When this occurs, the reaction will no longer be in equilibrium and the reaction itself will begin changing the concentrations of reactants and products until the reaction comes to a new position of equilibrium. How a reaction will change when a stress is applied can be explained and predicted. That is the topic of this section.