1. What is Graham's Law of Effusion?

Definition: Graham's law states that the rate of effusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its molar mass or density.

Purpose: This calculator uses Graham's law to determine the density of an unknown gas based on effusion rates and a known gas density.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( d_2 \) — Density of second gas (kg/m³)
• \( r_1 \) — Rate of effusion of first gas (m³/s)
• \( r_2 \) — Rate of effusion of second gas (m³/s)
• \( d_1 \) — Density of first gas (kg/m³)

Explanation: The ratio of effusion rates squared is multiplied by the known gas density to calculate the unknown gas density.

3. Importance of Graham's Law

Details: This law is crucial in gas separation processes, determining molecular weights, and understanding gas behavior under different conditions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the effusion rates for both gases and the density of the first gas. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is effusion rate?
A: Effusion rate is the volume of gas that passes through a small hole per unit time (typically m³/s).

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is theoretically accurate for ideal gases under the same conditions.

Q3: What units should I use?
A: Consistent units must be used - m³/s for effusion rates and kg/m³ for densities.

Q4: Can I use this for gas mixtures?
A: The law applies to pure gases. For mixtures, results are approximate.

Q5: What's a typical effusion rate?
A: Effusion rates vary greatly depending on gas properties and conditions, but are typically small (e.g., 0.001-0.1 m³/s).