Leaning to the left/right

[Saachi_Kotia_4E]

what does it mean when the reaction is leaning to the left or the right? or when a reaction is shifted to the left/right? there were some questions about it in the first video module, but I dont really understand the concept.

[ChathuriGunasekera1D]

Left means reactants and right means products. For example in the formation of ammonia

2NH3 <----> N2 + 3H2

If the reaction is left leaning, then it tends to want to make more ammonia. If the reaction is right leaning, it tends to make more nitrogen gas and hydrogen gas. Increasing the concentration of one product or reactant will cause the "lean" of the reaction to shift.

[Vicky Lu 1L]

I believe this phrase is talking about which side the equilibrium will move/shift, to the left or right side of the reaction. It is talking about moving back and forth between the forward and backward reaction.

[makenzie2K]

When K is large (usually =>10000) equilibrium will favor the products (on the right side of the double arrow) so this is called 'leaning to the right'. When K is small (usually <= .0010) equilibrium will favor the reactants (on the left side of the double arrow) so this is called 'leaning to the left'. For intermediate values neither reactants or products will be favored.

[Kaylee Kang 1G]

The leaning refers to which direction the reaction is favored.