What is meant by Equivalent weight give me a simple formula to understand it?

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Solution

Equivalent weight
1. The equivalent weight of any substance is the mass of the substance in grams that combines with or is chemically equivalent to eight grams of oxygen or one gram of hydrogen.
2. In other words, it is equal to the mass of the substance in grams that would react with or replace one gram of hydrogen. Equivalent weight is expressed as the ratio of atomic weight or molecular weight to the valence.

3. Equivalent weight depends on type of the substance.

4. For example,
1. The equivalent weight of an acid is given by the equation $E q u i v a l e n t w e i g h t o f a c i d = \frac{m o l e c u l a r w e i g h t o f a n a c i d}{B a s i c i t y o f a c i d}$
The acid $H_{2} S O_{4}$ can donate 2 hydrogens. So, the basicity of $H_{2} S O_{4}$ s 2
Equivalent weight of $H_{2} S O_{4}$ $= \frac{98}{2} = 49 g p e r e q$
2. The equivalent weight of a base is given by the equation $E q u i v a l e n t w e i g h t o f b a s e = \frac{m o l e c u l a r w e i g h t o f a b a s e}{A c i d i t y o f b a s e}$
The base NaOH can donate 1 hydroxide ion (OH-). So, the basicity of NaOH is 1
Equivalent weight of NaOH $= \frac{40}{1} = 40 g p e r e q$

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