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How to Solve for the Activity Coefficient

When scientists need to explain, the deviations from expected results they use the activity coefficient. It is used in chemistry and physics to explain why an ideal behavior is not observed or at least the variation from the ideal. The value of the activity coefficient can be found after deducting it from several equations.

Instructions

- 1
  Find the chemical potential of an ideal mixture. In other words, determine the expected result of the reaction of chemicals under an ideal scenario. The formula for this reaction is as follows:
  
  u1 = u2 + RT X lnx1
  
  u1 is the chemical potential, u2 is the potential in a fixed state, and x1 is the mole fraction of the mixture.
- 2
  Examine the results of an actual experiment and the real energy produced. Use the updated formula to solve for this result.
  
  u1 = u2 + RT X lna
  
  In this case, a is the observed mole fraction activity.
- 3
  Solve for the activity coefficient using the results from the two equations above. The new formula is:
  
  a/x1 = activity coefficient

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