ICE Table

[Raquel Rodriguez]

When doing ICE Table are we able to ignore the x that is in the denominator? and when is it only possible?

[Chem_Mod]

We assume that x is much smaller compared to the number that x is being subtracted from (with in 5%). It simplifies the calculation from solving a quadratic equation.

[Alexa_Henrie_1I]

We can take this short cut when the value of K is < 1x10^-3

[Maayan Epstein 14B]

The reason that you can do an approximation where you "ignore" the x in the denominator, is because if the K value is smaller than 10^-3, then the x when multiplied out by this k value will be very negligible. So, instead of going through the whole process and doing the quadratic formula in this specific case, it is much easier and still pretty accurate to approximate the value of x in the denominator to be equal to zero.

[Ray Huang 1G]

You can ignore it when the value of x you calculated is less than 5% of the initial concentration. If the x value is anywhere near or greater than 5% you have to do the quadratic by hand.

[JeremyPark14B]

if X is smaller than 10^-3, adding it into a number will have nearly no effect. However, X^2 is significantly larger than just X. Therefore if X is smaller than 10^-3, it is negligible.