Le Châtelier principle

American  

[luh shaht-l-yey prin-suh-puhl] / lə ˈʃɑt lˌjeɪ ˌprɪn sə pəl /

noun

Physics.

1. the law that if a constraint is applied to a system in equilibrium, the system adjusts to a new equilibrium that tends to counteract the constraint.

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Etymology

Origin of Le Châtelier principle

First recorded in 1910–15; see origin at lechatelierite