Concentration of Radical formed in Chain Reaction Calculator

Concentration of Radical Formula:

\[ [R]_{CR} = \frac{k_1 \times [A]}{k_2 \times (1-\alpha) \times [A] + k_3} \]

Reaction Rate Constant for Initiation Step (k₁):

m³/(mol·s)

Concentration of Reactant A [A]:

mol/m³

Reaction Rate Constant for Propagation Step (k₂):

m³/(mol·s)

No. of Radicals Formed (α):

Reaction Rate Constant for Termination Step (k₃):

m³/(mol·s)

Concentration of Radical [R] (mol/m³):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is Concentration of Radical in Chain Reaction?

Definition: This calculator determines the concentration of radicals formed during the chain propagation step of a chain reaction.

Purpose: It helps chemists and chemical engineers understand and predict radical concentrations in chain reactions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ [R]_{CR} = \frac{k_1 \times [A]}{k_2 \times (1-\alpha) \times [A] + k_3} \]

Where:

\( [R]_{CR} \) — Concentration of radical (mol/m³)
\( k_1 \) — Rate constant for initiation step (m³/(mol·s))
\( [A] \) — Concentration of reactant A (mol/m³)
\( k_2 \) — Rate constant for propagation step (m³/(mol·s))
\( \alpha \) — Number of radicals formed
\( k_3 \) — Rate constant for termination step (m³/(mol·s))

Explanation: The formula calculates radical concentration by considering the balance between radical formation and consumption.

3. Importance of Radical Concentration Calculation

Details: Understanding radical concentration is crucial for controlling reaction rates, predicting product distributions, and ensuring reaction safety.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all required parameters with appropriate units. Default values are provided for typical chain reactions.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical value for k₁?
A: Initiation rate constants typically range from 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻³ m³/(mol·s) depending on the reaction.

Q2: How does α affect the radical concentration?
A: Higher α values (more radicals formed) generally lead to higher radical concentrations.

Q3: What units should I use for concentration?
A: The calculator uses mol/m³ for all concentrations. Convert from other units if necessary.

Q4: Can this calculator be used for polymerization reactions?
A: Yes, it can be adapted for radical polymerization by adjusting the parameters appropriately.

Q5: What if I get negative values?
A: Check your input values, especially α which should normally be ≥ 0.