Assuming X is small

[Elias Ruben 1O]

Can you only assume X is small for weak acids/base, or can you also assume it is small for strong acids/bases. It makes sense that you can do it for weak acids/bases, since they don't dissociate well. But I'm unsure about strong acids/bases.

[Jonathan Sarquiz 3F]

You only do the assumption that X is small when your equilibrium constant, K is less than 10^-4. Weak acids and weak bases have a K value because they do not fully dissociate. Strong acids and strong bases fully dissociate (hence the single sided arrow rather than the equilibrium arrow). Therefore, strong acids and strong bases do not have a K value.

That being said, only weak acids/bases require ICE charts for calculations. Strong acids and strong bases completely dissociate and so the concentration of the strong acid is the same as the hydronium ion concentration. And the concentration of the strong base is the same as the hydroxide ion concentration.

[Rosalva_Mejia_41]

After finding the value of x in the ICE table, is that the value of H3O+ ions, and whichever molecule that is x?
For some questions, it's shown that x is added to the molar concentration to find the amount of H3O+ ions, How do we determine to do so?

[Alexandra_Cooper_4H]

I was also wondering about when we can consider x negligible. So just to clarify, it doesn't matter if it's a strong/weak acid or base, as long as the Ka or Kb is less than 10^-4?

[Diondraya_Taylor_1C]

That was the understanding I got as well but if anyone has a more concrete reason for why we can do that, it would be great because I'm afraid to employ that method for fear of being wrong

[Amy_Bugwadia_3I]

Generally, just look at the K value and as the above students mentioned, if i'ts less than 10^-4, you can assume that x is negligible. However, if the question asks you to test that assumption, after you solve for x, make sure to calculate the percentage deprotonation or protonation by dividing x by the concentration of the initial acid or base and multiply that fraction by 100%. If that value is less than 5%, then x is negligible and your assumption to eliminate it during the calculation was correct.