1. What is Capacity Factor in Chromatography?

Definition: The capacity factor (k') is a measure of how long a component is retained by the chromatography column relative to the mobile phase.

Purpose: It helps in characterizing the retention behavior of analytes in chromatographic separations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( k' \) — Capacity factor (dimensionless)
• \( C_s \) — Concentration of stationary phase (mol/m³)
• \( V_s \) — Volume of stationary phase (m³)
• \( C_m \) — Concentration of mobile phase (mol/m³)
• \( V_{mobile} \) — Volume of mobile phase (m³)

Explanation: The formula relates the distribution of the analyte between the stationary and mobile phases.

3. Importance of Capacity Factor

Details: A higher capacity factor indicates stronger retention of the analyte by the stationary phase. Optimal values typically range between 1 and 10 for good separation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the concentrations and volumes for both phases. All values must be positive numbers. The result is dimensionless.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a capacity factor of 1 mean?
A: It means the analyte spends equal time in the stationary and mobile phases.

Q2: How does capacity factor relate to retention time?
A: The capacity factor is directly proportional to retention time. Higher k' means longer retention.

Q3: What's a typical range for capacity factor?
A: For good separation, k' values between 1 and 10 are typically desired.

Q4: Can capacity factor be less than 1?
A: Yes, but values <1 indicate weak retention and poor separation.

Q5: How does temperature affect capacity factor?
A: Increasing temperature generally decreases k' as analytes spend less time in the stationary phase.