Vapor Density & Degree of Dissociation ($$\alpha$$)

$$\alpha = \frac{D - d}{(n - 1)d} = \frac{M_{\text{theoretical}} - M_{\text{observed}}}{(n - 1)M_{\text{observed}}}$$

Concept: $$\text{Relates the degree of dissociation } (\alpha) \text{ of a gas-phase reaction } $$

$$A_n \rightleftharpoons nB \text{ to theoretical and observed vapor densities.}$$

Notation:

• $$\text{Notation: } D = \text{Theoretical vapor density (or } M_{\text{theoretical}}\text{)}$$
• $$\text{Notation: } d = \text{Observed vapor density at equilibrium (or } M_{\text{observed}}\text{)}$$
• $$\text{Notation: } n = \text{Number of moles of product gas formed from 1 mole of reactant}$$