Final answer:
Unfavorable chemical reactions can be made to proceed by changing concentrations through Le Chatelier's principle, altering temperature and pressure, and using catalysts to lower the activation energy and speed up reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theoretical way to make 'unfavorable' reactions proceed is by altering reaction conditions to make those reactions more favorable. Here are three ways in which this can be done:
- Changing Concentrations: According to Le Chatelier's principle, if you employ one of the reactants in excess or remove one of the products from the system, you can drive a reversible reaction forward. Conversely, adding one of the products in excess or removing one of the reactants can push the reaction to go in reverse.
- Changing Temperature and Pressure: Reactions like the synthesis of ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen are endothermic and respond to changes in temperature and pressure. Increasing both can shift the equilibrium toward product formation, making an 'unfavorable' reaction more favorable.
- Using Catalysts: Catalysts and enzymes work by providing an alternate pathway for the reaction with a lower energy of activation. This can speed up both forward and reverse reactions but may help in achieving a significant amount of product in reactions that are otherwise too slow.
These methods demonstrate practical applications in various industries and research fields, where control over reaction conditions is essential for obtaining desired chemical products.