Final answer:
In Le Chatelier's Principle, a 'disturbance' is a change that disrupts equilibrium, such as a change in temperature, concentration, or pressure. The system reacts to counteract this change.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of Le Chatelier's Principle, the term 'disturbance' refers to any change that upsets the equilibrium of a chemical system. These disturbances can include a change in temperature, a change in concentration, or a change in pressure. When a disturbance occurs, the system will respond by shifting the equilibrium in a direction that counteracts the change. For example, if the concentration of a reactant is increased, the system will shift towards producing more product to reduce the concentration of the reactant.
It is important to note that not all changes will disturb the equilibrium. Adding a catalyst, for instance, does not shift equilibrium as it only affects the rates of the forward and reverse reactions equally. Similarly, changing pressure or volume may not have a significant impact if the number of moles of gas is the same on both sides of the equilibrium reaction.