1. What is Number of Moles Dissociated given Degree of Dissociation?

Definition: This calculator determines how many moles of a substance dissociate based on the degree of dissociation and initial number of moles.

Purpose: It helps chemists understand the extent of dissociation in chemical reactions at equilibrium.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( n_d \) — Number of moles dissociated (moles)
• \( \alpha \) — Degree of dissociation (unitless, between 0 and 1)
• \( n_{initial} \) — Initial number of moles (moles)

Explanation: The degree of dissociation (α) represents the fraction of initial moles that dissociate. Multiplying this by the initial moles gives the actual number of moles dissociated.

3. Importance of Moles Dissociated Calculation

Details: Understanding dissociation is crucial for equilibrium calculations, pH determinations, and predicting reaction yields.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the degree of dissociation (between 0 and 1) and initial number of moles (must be > 0). The degree represents fraction dissociated (0.5 = 50% dissociation).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does degree of dissociation mean?
A: It's the fraction of initial molecules that dissociate into ions or products at equilibrium (0 = no dissociation, 1 = complete dissociation).

Q2: Can degree of dissociation be greater than 1?
A: No, it's a fraction between 0 and 1, representing 0% to 100% dissociation.

Q3: How does temperature affect dissociation?
A: For endothermic dissociation, higher temperature increases degree of dissociation. The opposite for exothermic dissociation.

Q4: What's a typical degree of dissociation for weak acids?
A: Weak acids typically have α << 1 (e.g., acetic acid ~1% dissociation at 0.1M).

Q5: How is this different from percent dissociation?
A: Degree of dissociation is the decimal form (0.05), while percent dissociation is 100× (5%).