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Definition: The charge number of ion species is the total number of charges on cations and anions in a solution.
Purpose: This calculator determines the charge number using the Debye-Hückel limiting law, which describes ion-ion interactions in dilute solutions.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The natural log of the activity coefficient is divided by the product of the Debye constant and square root of ionic strength, then square rooted.
Details: Understanding ion charge numbers helps predict solution behavior, including conductivity, solubility, and chemical equilibrium.
Tips: Enter the mean activity coefficient (default 0.05), Debye constant (default 0.509 √kg/√mol), and ionic strength (default 0.463 mol/kg). All values must be > 0.
Q1: What is the typical range for mean activity coefficient?
A: γ± ranges from 0 to 1, with values closer to 1 indicating more ideal behavior (less ion-ion interaction).
Q2: When does the Debye-Hückel law apply?
A: It's accurate for dilute solutions (typically < 0.01 mol/kg) where ion-ion interactions are limited.
Q3: How does temperature affect the Debye constant?
A: The constant increases with temperature. For water, it's 0.509 at 25°C but varies at other temperatures.
Q4: What factors affect ionic strength?
A: Concentration and charge of all ions in solution contribute to ionic strength.
Q5: Can this calculate individual ion charges?
A: No, it calculates an effective charge number representing the combined cation-anion system.