1. What is Graham's Law of Effusion?

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 is important in understanding gas behavior and separation techniques.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Graham's Law equation:

Where:

• \( rate_1 \) — Effusion rate of gas 1
• \( rate_2 \) — Effusion rate of gas 2
• \( M_1 \) — Molar mass of gas 1 (g/mol)
• \( M_2 \) — Molar mass of gas 2 (g/mol)

Explanation: Lighter gases effuse faster than heavier ones, with the rate ratio depending on the square root of the inverse ratio of their molar masses.

3. Importance of Graham's Law

Details: This law has practical applications in gas separation, industrial processes, and understanding gas diffusion rates. It's fundamental in fields like chemical engineering and atmospheric science.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the molar masses of both gases in g/mol. The calculator will determine the ratio of their effusion rates. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between effusion and diffusion?
A: Effusion is gas escaping through a tiny hole, while diffusion is gas spreading out in space. Both follow similar principles but differ in mechanism.

Q2: Does temperature affect effusion rates?
A: Yes, absolute temperature affects absolute rates, but the ratio between two gases at the same temperature depends only on their molar masses.

Q3: What are some practical applications?
A: Used in isotope separation (like uranium enrichment), gas purification, and determining molecular weights of unknown gases.

Q4: Does this work for ideal gases only?
A: The law is most accurate for ideal gases, but provides reasonable approximations for real gases at moderate conditions.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: Very accurate for ideal conditions. Real-world factors like pressure differences and container geometry may cause deviations.