Chemical Equilibrium in Test 4 #6

[Sammy Thatipelli 1B]

In this question, My answer for x was -1.5 after doing the ice table and solving for x. However, x is negative and I was wondering what you need to do in this question to get a positive number?

[Cassandra Mullen 1E]

This reaction goes in the reverse reaction, which is why the x value you calculated is negative. When you plug this value into your equilibrium values in the ice table, you should get the right answer.

[Sammy Thatipelli 1B]

How do u know the reaction is the reverse reaction though?

[Cassandra Mullen 1E]

If you compare the initial concentrations to the equilibrium concentrations: you will see that on the reactants side, A went from 1.00 M to 2.54 M and B went from 2.00 M to 2.54 M. This means that the reactants increased. C goes from 7.00 M to 5.46 M and D goes from 4.00 to 2.46, so the products decreased. The only way for this to happen is if the reaction is going in the reverse direction. Hope it helps! :)