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 helps chemists and chemical engineers quantify how far a reaction has proceeded towards equilibrium.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \xi \) — Extent of reaction (moles)
• \( n_{equilibrium} \) — Number of moles at equilibrium (mol)
• \( n_{initial} \) — Initial number of moles (mol)
• \( v_i \) — Stoichiometric coefficient for the i-th component

Explanation: The difference between equilibrium and initial moles is divided by the stoichiometric coefficient to determine the extent of reaction.

3. Importance of Extent of Reaction

Details: Calculating the extent of reaction helps in understanding reaction kinetics, determining equilibrium positions, and designing chemical reactors.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of moles at equilibrium, initial number of moles, and stoichiometric coefficient. The stoichiometric coefficient must be non-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 from what was defined in the stoichiometric equation.

Q2: How is the stoichiometric coefficient determined?
A: It comes from the balanced chemical equation (positive for products, negative for reactants).

Q3: Can extent of reaction be greater than 1?
A: Yes, it depends on the mole quantities and stoichiometry. It's not a percentage but an absolute measure.

Q4: What units does extent of reaction have?
A: It has units of moles (mol).

Q5: How does this relate to reaction completion?
A: The maximum extent of reaction indicates complete conversion of limiting reactant to products.