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ICE Box

Definition

An ICE Box is used in chemistry as an organizational tool for solving equilibrium problems where "I" stands for Initial, "C" for Change, and "E" for Equilibrium.

Analogy

Think of an ICE Box like a budgeting spreadsheet. You start with your initial income (I), then subtract your expenses (C), to find out how much money you have left at the end of the month (E).

Related terms

Le Chatelier's Principle: This principle predicts how changes in conditions can shift the position of equilibrium in a chemical reaction.

Equilibrium Constant (K): The ratio of concentrations when the reaction is at equilibrium. It's like calculating the percentage of your income that goes towards expenses in our budget analogy.

Reaction Quotient (Q): This measures the relative amounts of products and reactants present during a reaction at a particular point in time. It's like checking your bank balance partway through the month before all bills are paid and all paychecks received.