Quadratic Equation

[Alison Trinh 1E]

When/why do we use the quadratic equation in terms of chemical equilibrium?

[Jielena_Bragasin2G]

When we use an ICE table, we often account for the missing information as the variable of X. We are usually given the chemical equilibrium constant, so we need to solve for X. We input all the chemical equilibrium concentrations/partial pressures into the chemical equilibrium expression even though concentrations/partial pressures may contain X or may only be represented by X. We try to equal this equation to 0 in order to solve for it through the quadratic equation. It will give you two values, but you always have to choose the one that is positive and/or smaller than the initial concentration/partial pressure that was provided. I hope this helps !

[Jared Khoo 1G]

A lot of times when using ice tables, the equilibrium concentration equation will end up looking like x²/number-x = constant. Therefore, when you cross multiply by (number-x) and move it over to have one side of the equation equal to zero, you will end up with a quadratic equation, which can be solved by the quadratic equation.

[RasikaObla_4I]

When doing an ICE table, solving for x requires using a quadratic equation. However, if the K value given is less than 10^-3, then we can assume that the x value in the denominator is so close to zero that we can ignore it.

[105335337]

We use the quadratic equation in terms of chemical equilibrium when we are estimating the equilibrium point of a reaction through an ICE Table. If we are unable to use the "x is small" approximation, you must then use the quadratic equation to solve for x.

[IScarvie 1E]

Typically when you are solving for x from an ICE table and x is not less than 10^-3, it will be easiest to solve with the quadratic formula

[Nuoya Jiang]

When the equilibrium constant is 10^-3 or greater, we should use the quadratic equation.

[Anushka Chauhan2B]

Use the quadratic equation when x is not less than 10^-3

[Nare Nazaryan 1F]

We use the quadratic equation when equating the values we got from the ICE table (products/reactants) to the given equilibrium constant K, and if X is not smaller than 10^-3.