Based on the reaction below: ↔

If we decrease the temperature, equilibrium will shift towards the...

Please explain!

If the temperature of a reaction mixture is changed, the equilibrium will shift to minimise that change.

If the temperature is increased the equilibrium will shift to favour the reaction which will reduce the temperature. The endothermic reaction is favoured.

If the temperature is decreased the equilibrium will shift to favour the reaction which will increase the temperature. The exothermic reaction is favoured.

Explanation:

For example the forward reaction shown below is exothermic (shown by the negative value for  

Δ H

). This means that the forward reaction, where nitrogen and hydrogen react to form ammonia, gives off heat, increasing the temperature (the forward reaction is exothermic). In the reverse reaction, where ammonia decomposes into hydrogen and nitrogen gas, heat is taken in by the reaction, cooling the vessel (the reverse reaction is endothermic).

Explanation:

heat is given out as 1 of the products, along w/ NH3 in the forward reaction. so its an exothermic reaction

decreasing temperature favors exothermic reaction as more heat can be absorbed by the environment

so equilibrium will shift towards the products