RICE Tables for Weak Acid/Base Reactions: When to Neglect X?

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RICE tables, which stand for Reaction, Initial, Change, and Equilibrium, are used to calculate equilibrium concentrations in weak acid/base reactions. The discussion highlights the 5% rule, which allows for neglecting "x" when it is significantly smaller than the initial concentration, validating the approximation. An example provided involves the dissociation of HF, where the calculated value of "x" confirms its smallness relative to the initial concentration. The conversation also touches on the continued relevance of ICE tables in chemistry, despite some confusion about terminology. Overall, understanding when to neglect "x" is crucial for accurate calculations in weak acid/base equilibria.
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when you're doing RICE tables for weak acid/base reactions, when do you neglect x? thanks for ANY input :biggrin:
 
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What are RICE tables? What does "x" mean?
 
I heard these things called "ICE" tables, but not "RICE" tables... further along I have used these to calculate equilibrium in a system. ICE stands for INITIAL CHANGE EQUILIBRIUM. I never used these things when involving acids/bases.

Here is what Wikipedia sais about RICE tables:

An Indonesian rice table (in Dutch, rijsttafel) consists of rice accompanied by several, often spicy side dishes served buffet-style. Popular side dishes include egg rolls, sambals, satay, fish, fruit, vegetables, pickles, and nuts. It is a Dutch colonial adaptation of the Indonesian makan besar, and popular in both Indonesia and the Netherlands.

The number of side dishes depends mainly on the number of guests; in a restaurant, as many as two dozen side dishes may be served. In many restaurants, the side dishes are brought to the guests' table, covering the table with the many small plates.
 
hmmm.
maybe chemistry has changed a bit since you guys were in high school.
because we calculate weak acids/bases by RICE tables: Reaction, Initial, Change, and Equilibrium; like ssb said.
ok;so never mind.
thanks anyways :)
 
oceanflavored said:
hmmm.
maybe chemistry has changed a bit since you guys were in high school.
because we calculate weak acids/bases by RICE tables: Reaction, Initial, Change, and Equilibrium; like ssb said.
ok;so never mind.
thanks anyways :)
I asked because I never heard of any such acronymic designation. Back several years ago, we used stoichiometry, accounting for concentrations, moles, and some intermediate level Algebra.
 
haha. you can neglect x if hte 5% rule is valid
 
for example:

dissociation of HF, Ka = 7.2E-4 HF <-> H+ + F-
I .1 0 0
C -x +x +x
E .1-x x x

Ka = 7.2E-4 = x^2/(.1-x)

- assume 5% rule is valid and x is a very small number in comparison to .1

therefore, 7.2E-4 = x^2/.1

-solve for x, which ends up being about 8.5E-3 which is small in comparison to .1 proving the 5% rule to be valid.

-therefore x can be beglected and the [H+] = x = 8.5E-3
 
We still use ICE tables they haven't meleted yet...haha...
 

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