Activity in chemistry refers to the effective concentration of a species in a solution. It accounts for interactions between molecules that alter their behavior compared to an ideal solution.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Activity is used instead of concentration when dealing with non-ideal solutions.
The activity coefficient ($\gamma$) quantifies how much a substance's behavior deviates from ideality.
For dilute solutions, the activity is approximately equal to the molar concentration.
In concentrated solutions, interparticle forces cause significant deviations from ideality, affecting colligative properties.
Activity plays a crucial role in calculating accurate values for equilibrium constants and reaction rates.
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Related terms
Ideal Solution: A solution where the enthalpy of mixing is zero and components obey Raoult's Law across all compositions.