Ning is a little confused.
with TFSE, it seems that with solids (i.e. NaOH), "percent" means "grams of solid per grams of solution", weight/weight.
But with nominally gaseous things (ammonia), Strange, hard to isolate things (NaOCl), what does "percent" mean?
Ning has heard the term "w/v" fly around, but how can a weight divided by a volume give a percentage?
And what is the "weight" of dissolved gasses like ammonia?
Ning knows these are simple-minded questions, but for a newbee, they are essential. Perhaps ning could be directed to a suitable FAQ?
Ning wants an algorithm to convert: percent solution --> molarity
With w/w, it is relatively easy.
but....
Thanks in advance, bees.
Ning has heard the term "w/v" fly around, but how can a weight divided by a volume give a percentage?
The term "w/v" is not used for gasses but for fluids. The weight of a gas can be calculated starting from "the Ideal Gas Law" - if you really want to know how you do this just ask me - but I don't think you need it.
The weight of dissolved gasses can be measured by subtracting the weight of the solution after gassing with the one before gassing. The difference is the dissolved gas ;) .
Weight percent =
weight of solute (g) x 100
weight of solution (g)
Weight/Volume percent =
weight of solute (g) x 100
volume of solution (mL)
Because of the different units in the numerator and denominator (in case of w/v), this type of concentration is not a true percentage. It is used as a quick and easy concentration unit because volumes are easier to measure than weights and because the density of dilute solutions is generally close to 1 g/mL. Thus, the volume of a solution in mL is very nearly numerically equal to the mass of the solution in grams.
molarity =
moles of solute liter of solution
Some useful definitions
Solution: a mixture consisting of a solute and a solvent
Solute: component of a solution present in the lesser amount
Solvent: component of a solution present in the greater amount
Concentration: amount of a solute present in a solution per standard amount of solvent
The following link contains more theory and examples
http://dl.clackamas.cc.or.us/ch105-04/ (http://dl.clackamas.cc.or.us/ch105-04/)
Useful:
Molarity of Concentrated Reagents (https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/chemistry/equipment/molarity.html)
(https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/chemistry/equipment/molarity.html)
that w/v was killing me.
So when household chemicals like bleach and ammonia give percent, they are usually meaning w/w or w/v?
Houshold chemical manufacturers probably use w/v for their convenience.
The product concentration has not to be that accurate for houshold use (draincleaner, bleach, ammonia,...).
I guess if you make a dilute ammonia solution to clean your windows it doesn't matter how they calculated its concentration :P .