Conversion Formula:
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The conversion from millimoles per liter (mmol/L) to milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) is essential in medical and chemical contexts for measuring electrolyte concentrations. This conversion accounts for the chemical activity of ions based on their valence.
The calculator uses the conversion formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula converts molar concentration to equivalent concentration by accounting for the ion's charge, providing a measure of chemical activity.
Details: Accurate conversion between mmol/L and mEq/L is crucial for medical diagnostics, medication dosing, and understanding electrolyte balance in physiological systems.
Tips: Enter the mmol/L value and valence of the ion. Both values must be positive numbers. Common valences: Sodium (Na+) = 1, Calcium (Ca2+) = 2, etc.
Q1: Why convert mmol/L to mEq/L?
A: mEq/L accounts for the chemical activity and charge of ions, providing a more accurate measure of electrolyte concentration for medical and chemical applications.
Q2: What is valence in this context?
A: Valence refers to the charge number of an ion (e.g., +1 for Na+, +2 for Ca2+, -1 for Cl-).
Q3: Are mmol/L and mEq/L the same?
A: They are different units. For monovalent ions (valence = 1), the values are numerically equal. For multivalent ions, mEq/L = mmol/L × valence.
Q4: When is this conversion most important?
A: Particularly important in medical contexts for electrolytes like calcium, magnesium, and phosphate where valence affects clinical interpretation.
Q5: Can this calculator handle negative valences?
A: The calculator accepts positive valence values only, as concentration values should be positive. For anions, use the absolute value of the valence.