If a reversible reaction at equilibrium has product continuously removed, toward which side does the system shift?

• A. To the right (toward more product)
• B. To the left (toward reactants)
• C. No shift
• D. It becomes unchanging

Answer: (A)

When product is continuously removed from a system at equilibrium, the disturbance is a loss of product. The system responds by shifting toward the side that will produce more product, to restore balance. This means the forward direction is favored, converting more reactants into products to compensate for what’s being removed. As long as product keeps being removed, the shift toward the product side continues, giving a new equilibrium with less total material but more product than before relative to the reactants.