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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: whywhywhy on September 06, 2004, 01:02:39 PM

Title: mEq
Post by: whywhywhy on September 06, 2004, 01:02:39 PM

hi guys!

does any of you know what mEq stands for?
for instance; 3.4 meq/L

thanks alot!

Title: Re:mEq
Post by: Demotivator on September 06, 2004, 01:33:10 PM

m stands for milli, which is a 1000 multiplier. mEq is milliEquivalents.
(3.4 mEq/L)( 1 Eq/1000 mEq) = .0034 Eq.

Title: Re:mEq
Post by: ssssss on September 07, 2004, 04:43:58 AM

As Demotivator has mentioned about milliequivalents.Here is the more detail matter:

Yes its very similar to the mole concept.You only got to stick to one thing that is equal number of equivalents will react to give equal number of equivalents.

Equivalents=weight/Equivalent weight

Where equivalent weight=Molecular weight/n factor

Here n factor depends upon the nature of reagent.
For H2SO4 n=2[number of replacable H+ ions]
For NaOH n=1[number of replacable OH- ions]
For elements n=Valency
For salts n=Charge on cationic or anionic part.

This method is Extremely useful as it can be used without knowing the nature of reaction[no need of balancing].

But it can only be used if you know the n factor of the reagents correctly.

Title: Re:mEq
Post by: Donaldson Tan on September 08, 2004, 03:52:56 PM

I know meq is used for measuring cation exchange capacity of soil. the unit is meq per 100g of silicate soil.