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Definition: This calculator determines the molar mass of an unknown gas using Graham's law of effusion by comparing its effusion rate with a known gas.
Purpose: It's used in chemistry to identify unknown gases or verify molar masses based on their effusion rates.
The calculator uses Graham's law formula:
Where:
Explanation: The ratio of effusion rates is squared and multiplied by the known molar mass to determine the unknown molar mass.
Details: This calculation is fundamental in gas analysis, helping identify unknown gases and understand their behavior under different conditions.
Tips: Enter the effusion rates for both gases and the molar mass of the known gas. All values must be > 0.
Q1: What is Graham's law of effusion?
A: It states that the rate of effusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its molar mass.
Q2: How do I measure effusion rates?
A: Effusion rates are typically measured by timing how long it takes for a gas to escape through a small hole under controlled conditions.
Q3: What are typical units for molar mass?
A: While kg/mol is the SI unit, g/mol is more commonly used in chemistry (1 kg/mol = 1000 g/mol).
Q4: Can I use this for gas diffusion calculations?
A: Yes, Graham's law applies to both effusion and diffusion, though effusion is more precise for calculations.
Q5: What's a common reference gas?
A: Hydrogen (H₂) with molar mass 0.002016 kg/mol is often used as the known gas.