ICE table approximation

[Jasmine W 1K]

How do you know whether you can use the approximation shortcut rather than the quadratic equation for problems involving ICE tables?

[Sidharth D 1E]

You can approximate if the K value for the table is less than 10^-3.

[Cooper Baddley 1F]

If the K value is less than 10^-3 and then if the percent protonation is less than 5% it is ok to take the shortcut.

[Ying Yan 1F]

If you have a K value that is smaller than 10^-3, then you can use the approximation shortcut. If you still need more clarification, Dr. Llavell talks about this in Video Module 3. Hope that helped!

[Vincent Leong 2B]

The approximation is only used when K is small enough and you know this approximation works if the x you solve for is < 5% of the initial concentration.

[ValerieChavarin 4F]

You take a look at the K value. If it is less than 10^-3, then you can approximate. If the K value is 10^-3, it can get a bit tricky, so I would still do the full calculation.

[Ayushi2011]

If K value is very small, we can approximate.

[William Francis 2E]

You can check that your approximation is valid after solving by showing that your calculated x value is less than 5 percent of the initial concentration of the weak acid or base being used.

[Tahlia Mullins]

To verify that the approximation is valid, divide x by the initial value and multiply by 100, and if the value is less than 5%, then it is valid.

[Kylie Lim 4G]

You can approximate that x is 0 when K<10^-3. You can always check to see if an approximation is valid if x is less than 5% of the initial concentration.

[Megan Cao 1I]

you can approximate shortcut when K is less than 10^-3.