How to Solve Equilibrium Problems Using an ICE Table

Equilibrium (ke) problem solving methods are found in two types of problems.
1. If ke is specified, conditions of reactants are specified initially or specified at equilibrium.
A concentration of product or reactant or both must be found.
2. Initial conditions for reactants, product, and ke are provided. The problem asks in which
direction will the reaction proceed to attain equilibrium.

Setting up an ICE table:

1. Write a balanced equation.
2. Identify the products and reactions at equilibrium. Write an appropriate ke equation.

ke = concentration of product = products = (moles/liter)

reactants (moles/liter)
Or
Reactant raised to the power associated with the coefficient of the compound,
e.g. 2NO = (NO)2.
3. Normalize the information provided and convert to moles/liter, e.g. if all the reactants
are in a 4 liter container, then all the information is divided by 4. Note that the final
constituent selected concentration will be multiplied by 4, if the question specifies that
all the remaining material will be in a 4L container.
4. Set up an ICE table.
I - Initial concentrations of all reactants and products.
Typically, in the initial stage, there will be reactants while products will be at
zero concentration as the reaction has not started.
C – Change once the reaction has initiated.
Products will gain linearly related to the coefficient associated with the
balanced equation. Reactions will be reduced in a similar manner.
E – At equilibrium will be a vertical summary of I + C = E.

Sample Problem 1
The system is prepared with [N2O4] = [H2O] = 3.60M. At equilibrium water = .60 M.
1. Find equilibrium concentration of O2 and ke of system.

Step 1. 2 N2O4 + 6H2O → 4NH3 + 7O2

Step 2. Ke = [NH3]4[O2]7
[N2O4]2[H2O]6
Step 3.
Equation 2 N2O4 + 6H2O → 4NH3 + 7O2
I 3.60 3.60 0 0
C -2x -6x 4x 7x
E 3.60 – 2x 3.60 – 6x 4x 7x

Mds/cs 9/23/13; revised: 10/17/20119

Indian River State College, ASC
1. Solve for x. The concentration of H2O at equilibrium = .60.

 3.60 – 6x = .60
3.00 = 6x
.50 = x

2. Determine the concentration of all the components at equilibrium.

N2O4 = 3.60 – 2x = 3.60 – (2 x .50) = 2.60 m

H2O = 3.60 – 6(.50) = 3.60 – 3.00 = .60 m
NH3 = (4)(.50) = 2.00 m
O2 = (7)(.50) = 3.50 m

ke = [2.0]4[3.50]7
[2.60]2[.60]6

Sample Problem 2
For the reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2SO3(g) the equilibrium constant has a value =
4.67. A system was charged to give these initial concentrations [SO3] = .0254 m,
O2 = [.00855] m, [SO2] = .500 m. In which direction will this reaction go?

Ke = products = 4.67
Reactants

Q = initial concentration of products = [SO3]2

initial concentration of reactants [SO2]2[O2]

Q= [.0254]2____ = .302
[.500]2[.00855]

Evaluate Q and then determine in which direction the reaction will proceed.
If Q > ke that means Q must get smaller until it is equal to 4.62. For this to happen, the
denominator needs to increase in size. To increase the denominator, more reactants
produced. This requires the reaction proceed to the left.
If Q < ke, Q must get larger until it is equal to 4.62. The numerator must get larger by
creating more product. This requires that the reaction move toward the right.

 Reaction must move to the right.

Mds/cs 9/23/13; revised: 10/17/20119

Indian River State College, ASC