A derivative of the polysaccharide chitosan is being utilized ina spray to treat severe wounds. The chitosan aids in quicklystopping the flow of blood by forming a gel at the wound site. Thebehavior of the gel is strongly dependent upon the activity ofionic species in the spray. In one process to form the spray, anaqueous solution containing 0.002 M NaCl and 0.006 M CaCl2 is mixedwith a solid powder of the chitosan derivative. (a) What is theionic strength of the precursor solution, before the chitosan isadded? (b) Use the Debye-Huckel expression to calculate theactivity coefficient of Na+ , Cl- , and Ca2+ in the precursorsolution at 25o C.A derivative of the polysaccharide chitosan isbeing utilized in a spray to treat severe wounds. The chitosan aidsin quickly stopping the flow of blood by forming a gel at the woundsite. The behavior of the gel is strongly dependent upon theactivity of ionic species in the spray. In one process to form thespray, an aqueous solution containing 0.002 M NaCl and 0.006 MCaCl2 is mixed with a solid powder of the chitosan derivative. (a)What is the ionic strength of the precursor solution, before thechitosan is added? (b) Use the Debye-Huckel expression to calculatethe activity coefficient of Na+ , Cl- , and Ca2+ in the precursorsolution at 25o C.
