In equilibrium problems involving equilibrium constants that are small to the initial concentrations of reactants, we often assume that the quantity x (which represents how far the reaction proceeds toward products) is small. When this assumption is made, we can ignore the quantity x when it is subtracted from a large number but not when it is multiplied by a large number. In other words,
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Chemistry: Structure and Properties
- Because calcium carbonate is a sink for CO32- in a lake, the student in Exercise 12.39 decides to go a step further and examine the equilibrium between carbonate ion and CaCOj. The reaction is Ca2+(aq) + COj2_(aq) ** CaCO,(s) The equilibrium constant for this reaction is 2.1 X 10*. If the initial calcium ion concentration is 0.02 AI and the carbonate concentration is 0.03 AI, what are the equilibrium concentrations of the ions? A student is simulating the carbonic acid—hydrogen carbonate equilibrium in a lake: H2COj(aq) H+(aq) + HCO}‘(aq) K = 4.4 X 10"7 She starts with 0.1000 AI carbonic acid. What are the concentrations of all species at equilibrium?arrow_forwardDuring an experiment with the Haber process, a researcher put 1 mol N2 and 1 mol H2 into a reaction vessel to observe the equilibrium formation of ammonia, NH3. N2(g)+3H2(g)2NH3(g) When these reactants come to equilibrium, assume that x mol H2 react. How many moles of ammonia form?arrow_forwardIn Section 13.1 of your text, it is mentioned that equilibrium is reached in a closed system. What is meant by the term closed system. and why is it necessary to have a closed system in order for a system to reach equilibrium? Explain why equilibrium is not reached in an open system.arrow_forward
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