Expressions of solution concentrations:

 

 

mole

•     molecular weight of a substance in grams [gm molecular                                                                weight]

•     Number of atoms in 12 gm of carbon 12

•     6.02 x 1023 atoms, ions, molecules [Avogadro’s number]

molar

[molarity]

•     weight per volume concentration

•     ie 1 molar solution contains 1 mole of the specified solute per 1000 mls solution

•     eg 180 gm dextrose made up to 1 L — 1 molar concentration of dextrose

•     eg 58.5 gm NaCl [ Na=23 + Cl=35.5] in 1 L solution — 1 molar concentration

molal

[molality]

•     a weight per weight designation

•     ie 1 molal solution contains 1 mole of the specified solute per 1000 gms solution

•     less used in medicine

equivalents

•     gram-equivalent weight of a substance is that weight of a substance that will react with 1 mole [1.008 gm] H+

•     eg 1 mole (58.5 gm) NaCl in 1 L solution [ie a 1 molar concentration]; as have 1 mole Na + 1 mole Cl and both Na & Cl have valencies of 1, the Na in this 1 molar solution is equivalent to 1 mole of hydrogen & ditto for Cl — the concentration of Na+ (& Cl-) is one equivalent per litre

•     eg 1 mole (111 gm)  CaCl2 in 1 L solution [ie a 1 molar concentration]; as have 1 mole Ca + 2 mole Cl and as Ca has a valency of 2 & Cl a valency of 1, the Ca in this 1 molar solution is equivalent to 2 mole of hydrogen & ditto for Cl — the concentration of Ca2+ (& Cl-) is two equivalents per litre

normality

•     a normal solution has 1 gm equivalent weight [1 mole] of solute in 1 L of solution

•     another means of expressing equivalents

•     not used in medicine

 

 

1 Molar solution NaCl

      58.5 gm NaCl [ Na=23 + Cl=35.5] in 1 L solution — 1 molar concentration

 

0.25 Molar solution NaCl

      58.5/4 gm NaCl = 14.625 gm in 1 L solution — 1/4 molar concentration

 

 

note     0.9% Normal saline     = 0.9 gm NaCl in 100 ml water

                                               = 9 gm NaCl in 1000 ml water

            = 58.5 gm : 1 mole

                9 gm   : x mole         x = 9/58.5 =

            = 0.154 moles NaCl in 1L solution

            = 154 mmolar solution