Solution: For the function \( f(x) \) to be continuous at \( x = 0 \), we must have:
\[ \lim_{x \to 0} f(x) = f(0). \]
Calculating the limit on the left-hand side for \( x \to 0 \), we get:
\[ \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{72x^2 - 9x - 8x^2 + 1}{\sqrt{2} - \sqrt{1 + \cos x}}. \]
Using L’Hôpital’s Rule, we evaluate this limit step-by-step, and find that:
\[ f(0) = a \ln e \, 2 \ln e \, 3. \]
Setting the limit equal to \( f(0) \), we solve for \( a^2 \) and find \( a^2 = 1152 \).
What will be the equilibrium constant of the given reaction carried out in a \(5 \,L\) vessel and having equilibrium amounts of \(A_2\) and \(A\) as \(0.5\) mole and \(2 \times 10^{-6}\) mole respectively?
The reaction : \(A_2 \rightleftharpoons 2A\)