Le Chatelier Response

Abstract

The article investigates a possible influence of the open chemical system reaction to the external impact on the system transition to a new equilibrium. Potential system response is taken as a combination of various powers of the reaction shift from thermodynamic equilibrium, leading to different equations for the system Gibbs' free energy change. The investigation is focused on two types of the constraints which are put on the system - the "soluble", disappearing when the stressed system achieves its new equilibrium, as it happens in result of a temperature change, and "insoluble", still remaining active in the new equilibrium. It was assumed that the "soluble" constraints activate a wider selection of the reaction shift powers as the system Le Chatelier response, providing for a smooth transition between two equilibrium states. The "insoluble" constraints may suppress some higher powers in the response set, and transition may be accompanied by bifurcations.