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Graham's Law of Effusion:
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Graham's Law of Effusion states that the rate of effusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its molar mass. This principle helps compare how quickly different gases escape through a small opening.
The calculator uses Graham's Law equation:
Where:
Explanation: The calculator provides the effusion rate relative to hydrogen gas (M = 2 g/mol), which has the fastest effusion rate among common gases.
Details: Understanding effusion rates is crucial in various applications including gas separation processes, vacuum technology, and studying gas behavior in confined spaces.
Tips: Enter the molar mass of the gas in g/mol. The value must be greater than 0. The result shows the relative effusion rate compared to hydrogen gas.
Q1: What is the difference between effusion and diffusion?
A: Effusion is the escape of gas molecules through a tiny hole into a vacuum, while diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to low concentration.
Q2: Why is hydrogen used as the reference gas?
A: Hydrogen has the smallest molar mass (2 g/mol) among common gases, giving it the fastest effusion rate, making it a convenient reference point.
Q3: Does temperature affect effusion rate?
A: Yes, effusion rate increases with temperature as molecular speed increases, though Graham's Law specifically addresses the relationship with molar mass at constant temperature.
Q4: What are practical applications of Graham's Law?
A: Applications include uranium enrichment, separating isotopes, and designing gas separation systems in industrial processes.
Q5: How accurate is Graham's Law?
A: Graham's Law provides good approximations for ideal gases at low pressures, but may have limitations with real gases at high pressures or with complex molecular shapes.