What does an ICE table help determine in a chemical reaction?

The correct choice identifies that an ICE table, which stands for Initial, Change, and Equilibrium concentrations, is a tool used to analyze changes in concentration of reactants and products during a chemical reaction at equilibrium.

In a chemical reaction, particularly for reversible reactions, the ICE table organizes important information about the concentrations of reactants and products at three key points: the initial concentrations before the reaction starts, the changes in those concentrations as the reaction progresses, and the final equilibrium concentrations once the reaction has reached a state where the forward and reverse reactions occur at the same rate.

Using an ICE table allows chemists to systematically account for how the concentrations of substances change throughout the reaction, making it easier to calculate the equilibrium concentrations based on the stoichiometry of the reaction and the initial amounts present. It is essential in understanding the relationship between reactants and products and predicting the outcome of the reaction under specific conditions.

This framework is particularly useful in conjunction with the equilibrium constant expression, which relates the concentrations of reactants and products at equilibrium. Understanding these changes is key to mastering concepts in chemical equilibrium.