Home Back

Extent of Reaction given Change in Number of Moles Calculator

Extent of Reaction Formula:

\[ \xi = \frac{\Delta n}{v_i} \]

moles
moles

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From: To:

1. What is Extent of Reaction?

Definition: Extent of Reaction measures the progress of a chemical reaction and is defined as the degree to which a reaction has advanced.

Purpose: It provides a quantitative measure of how far a reaction has proceeded, useful in chemical kinetics and reactor design.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ \xi = \frac{\Delta n}{v_i} \]

Where:

Explanation: The change in moles is divided by the stoichiometric coefficient to determine the extent of reaction.

3. Importance of Extent of Reaction

Details: Knowing the extent of reaction helps in determining reaction yields, designing chemical reactors, and understanding reaction kinetics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the change in number of moles (Δn) and the stoichiometric coefficient (vi). The stoichiometric coefficient cannot be zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a negative extent of reaction mean?
A: A negative value indicates the reaction is proceeding in the reverse direction.

Q2: How is Δn calculated?
A: Δn is the difference between the moles of products and reactants (nproducts - nreactants).

Q3: What are typical values for stoichiometric coefficients?
A: These are whole numbers from the balanced chemical equation (e.g., 2 for H2 in 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O).

Q4: Can extent of reaction be greater than 1?
A: Yes, it depends on the amounts of reactants and the stoichiometry. It's not limited to 0-1 range.

Q5: How does this relate to reaction completion?
A: The maximum extent of reaction is determined by the limiting reactant's initial moles divided by its stoichiometric coefficient.

Extent of Reaction Calculator© - All Rights Reserved 2025