equivalent weight
1
8.1
- noun
- /ɪˈkwɪvələnt weɪt/
- Specialized
:
peso equivalente
- In a chemical reaction, the equivalent weight of sulfuric acid is required to determine how it will react with other substances.
Examples
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The equivalent weight of magnesium allows chemists to assess how much of it will react with a given amount of acid.
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From what I've been able to research, it seems it takes just under twice the amount of crude oil to create the equivalent weight in plastic.
Blog text (21) -
Roughly 96,500 coulombs (amperes/second) will deposit one gram equivalent weight of metal.
Blog text (17) -
To calculate the equivalent weight of a compound, you divide its molar mass by its valence.
Synonyms
9
8.1
An amount of a substance that reacts with a set amount of another
1
9.9
A chemical amount that reacts with one mole of hydrogen ions or electrons
Amount of a substance in grams that reacts with 8 grams of oxygen or 1.008 grams of hydrogen
Amount of an element that combines with eight parts by weight of oxygen
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase pairs 'equivalent' (equal or same in combining power) with 'weight' (a measure), so a learner could infer it denotes a kind of measured amount related to equivalence. However, the precise chemistry sense (atomic/molecular weight divided by valence or an amount defined by combining/displacing a fixed amount) is technical and not deducible from everyday meanings, making the relation only partially transparent to a B1 learner.
Etymology
The term equivalent weight comes from a simple lab image: the weight of a substance that has the same effect, the 'equivalent', as a fixed amount of hydrogen or oxygen. So it tells you how much of a chemical will 'react' with a set amount of another one.