Description
Compare supplied anion and cation equivalent totals.
Gas and aerosol records need explicit species, charge, reference state, concentration and wet/dry bases. A pressure correction to mass concentration differs from a change in mole fraction, and absolute uncertainty differs from a relative percentage. Blank-corrected negative values can expose discrepancies without proving physical concentrations.
Compare supplied anion and cation equivalent totals.
When to use this tool
Use Aerosol Charge Equivalent Gap when you already have cationEquivalents, anionEquivalents and need to compare supplied anion and cation equivalent totals.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter cationEquivalents, anionEquivalents. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read signedGap. Use the output convention below.
Return anionEquivalents-cationEquivalents with signs preserved.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| cationEquivalents | Cation Equivalents | Required. Finite number. |
| anionEquivalents | Anion Equivalents | Required. Finite number. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| signedGap | Signed Gap | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"cationEquivalents": 12,
"anionEquivalents": 17
},
"output": {
"signedGap": 5
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Both inputs need comparable unsigned charge-equivalent bases. No ions are summed, species inferred or charge-balance tolerance or aerosol composition validated.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Review the complete sampling, calibration and chemical analysis with verified reference conditions. Check dilution, background, charge and uncertainty definitions before using local terms in an emissions, composition or compliance assessment.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Aerosol Ion Equivalent Concentration
Convert supplied aerosol ion mass concentration to charge equivalents.
- Aerosol Blank Mass Subtraction
Subtract a supplied blank gain from filter mass gain.