Enter the cation and anion charges in milliequivalents per liter (meq/L) into the calculator to determine the cation to anion ratio. This ratio is important in various fields such as chemistry, environmental science, and water treatment.

Cation to Anion Ratio Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the cation to anion ratio:

CAR = Cation Charge / Anion Charge

Variables:

  • CAR is the cation to anion ratio
  • Cation Charge is the total charge of cations in milliequivalents per liter (meq/L)
  • Anion Charge is the total charge of anions in milliequivalents per liter (meq/L)

To calculate the cation to anion ratio, divide the total cation charge by the total anion charge. The result is a dimensionless number that represents the balance between positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions) in a solution.

What is a Cation to Anion Ratio?

The cation to anion ratio is a measure of the balance between positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions) in a solution. It is used to assess the chemical stability of water and other solutions, as well as to predict potential reactions and interactions between different ionic species. A balanced ratio is crucial for maintaining the proper functioning of biological systems and for the treatment of water to prevent scaling and corrosion.

How to Calculate Cation to Anion Ratio?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Cation to Anion Ratio:


  1. First, determine the total cation charge in the solution (meq/L).
  2. Next, determine the total anion charge in the solution (meq/L).
  3. Use the formula CAR = Cation Charge / Anion Charge.
  4. Finally, calculate the Cation to Anion Ratio (CAR).
  5. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem:

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Cation Charge (meq/L) = 50

Anion Charge (meq/L) = 40