DebyeHückel theory explanation from "summary" of Physical Chemistry by Robert G. Mortimer
The Debye-Hückel theory explains the behavior of electrolyte solutions. When ions are dissolved in a solvent, they interact with each other through Coulombic forces. These interactions can be described using the Debye-Hückel theory, which is based on the assumption that ions are surrounded by a cloud of oppositely charged ions. The Debye-Hückel theory provides a way to calculate the activity coefficient of an electrolyte, which is a measure of how much the ion deviates from ideal behavior in a solution. The activity coefficient takes into account the interactions between ions and predicts how these interactions affect the overall properties of the solution. The Debye-Hückel theory also explains the phenomenon of ionic strength, which is a measure of the total concentration of ions in a solution. As the ionic strength of a solution increases, the activity coefficients of the ions decrease due to increased ion-ion interactions. This leads to a decrease in the overall solubility of the electrolyte. One of the key assumptions of the Debye-Hückel theory is that ions are point charges that interact with each other in a mean field. This mean field accounts for the average effect of all other ions in the solution on a given ion. By considering these interactions, the Debye-Hückel theory can accurately predict the behavior of electrolyte solutions.- The Debye-Hückel theory provides a valuable framework for understanding the behavior of electrolyte solutions and predicting their properties. By taking into account ion-ion interactions and the effects of ionic strength, this theory helps to explain the complex behavior of electrolytes in solution.
