A common type of reaction we will study is that having a very small K value (K

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A common type of reaction we will study is that having a very small K value (K << 1). Solving for equilibrium concentrations in an equilibrium problem usually requires many mathematical operations to be performed. However, the math involved when solving equilibrium problems for reactions having small K values (K << 1) is simplified. What assumption is made when solving the equilibrium concentrations for reactions with small K values? Whenever assumptions are made, they must be checked for validity. In general, the “5% rule” is used to check the validity of assuming x (or 2x, 3x, and so on) is very small compared to some number. When x (or 2x, 3x, and so on) is less than 5% of the number the assumption was made against, then the assumption is said to be valid. If the 5% rule fails, what do you do to solve for the equilibrium concentrations?

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Chemistry

ISBN: 9781305957404

10th Edition

Authors: Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste

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