Le Châtelier principle

[ luh-shaht-l-yey prin-suh-puhl ]

nounPhysics.
  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.

Origin of Le Châtelier principle

1
First recorded in 1910–15; see origin at lechatelierite

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024