Answer:
The three rows in an ICE table stand for initial (I), change (C), and equilibrium (E). The purpose of the table is to keep track of changing concentrations in an equilibrium reaction . In the initial row, the concentrations of the reactants and products are listed before the reaction takes place. In the change row, the changes in concentration for each species are recorded. Finally, in the equilibrium row, the concentrations of the reactants and products at equilibrium are listed.
To use the ICE table to find the equilibrium constant for a reaction, one must first write the balanced equation for the reaction and determine the initial concentrations of the reactants and products. Then, using the stoichiometry of the reaction, the change in concentration for each species is calculated. The equilibrium concentrations can be found by adding the initial and change concentrations. Finally, the equilibrium constant (K) can be calculated using the equilibrium concentrations and the reaction equation.
For example, consider the dissociation of a weak acid, HA, in water. The equilibrium constant expression for this reaction is:
K = [H+][A-]/[HA]
To use an ICE table to find the equilibrium constant, we start by writing the balanced equation:
HA + H2O ⇌ H3O+ + A-
In the initial row, we list the initial concentration of HA and 0 for H3O+ and A-. In the change row, we write -x for HA (since it is dissociating) and +x for H3O+ and A-. In the equilibrium row, we add the initial and change concentrations to get [HA] = [HA]0 - x, [H3O+] = x, and [A-] = x.
Using the equilibrium concentrations, we can plug them into the expression for K to get:
K = [H3O+][A-]/[HA] = (x)(x)/([HA]0 - x)
Solving for x using the quadratic formula gives us the equilibrium concentrations of the species and allows us to calculate K.
In summary, an ICE table is a helpful tool for keeping track of changing concentrations in an equilibrium reaction and can be used to find the equilibrium constant for the reaction
Step-by-step explanation: