Retention Factor

The Retention Factor calculator computes the factor of time required for the solvent moving through the column to pass through based on the retention factor, retention time and minimum time.

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

• (t_r) Retention Time
• (t_m) Minimum Time

Retention Factor (k):  The calculator returns the unit-less factor as a real number.  However, this can be automatically converted to percentage via the pull-down menu

The Math / Science

The retention factor equation calculates the time required for the solvent moving through the column to pass through. The larger the retention factor the longer it takes the solvent to pass through the column, the bigger the retention factor.

The retention factor equation is: 

        `k = (t_r - t_m)/t_m`
   
where 

• k is the retention factor (unit-less)
• t_r is the retention time in units of (sec)
• t_m is the minimum time in unit of (sec)

Related Topics

• Adjusted retention time (for the Spanish site click here)

References

Harris, 9th Edition.  Pp.612