Concept:For exothermic reactions, heat is considered a product. Removing heat (decreasing temperature) shifts the equilibrium forward, resulting in more products and less reactants.
Formula:$$ K_c = \frac{[\text{Products}]}{[\text{Reactants}]} $$
Solution:- When temperature is decreased, Le Chatelier's Principle dictates a shift to the right to generate more heat.
- This forward shift drastically increases the concentration of Products in the numerator.
- Simultaneously, Reactants in the denominator are consumed and decrease.
- A larger numerator divided by a smaller denominator mathematically results in a larger overall ratio.
- Therefore, the equilibrium constant \( K_c \) inherently increases.
Why other options are incorrect:Constants only remain the same if temperature is unchanged. Decreasing would happen in an endothermic reaction.
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