Spontaneous drug release rate equation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the equation for spontaneous drug release rate, specifically focusing on the units involved in the equation and the algebraic manipulations required to verify the consistency of these units. Participants explore the implications of different unit conversions and their effects on the equation's validity.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the equation Q = 2 * C * (D * t / ∏)^(1/2) and expresses confusion regarding the units of the variables involved, particularly the concentration of the drug.
  • Another participant questions the algebraic steps taken to derive the units, suggesting that the manipulation is difficult to follow.
  • A participant proposes that the square root of the units should simplify to "cm" and suggests multiplying this by the concentration in mg/cm³.
  • There is a realization that converting L to cm³ resolves the unit discrepancy, leading to the correct unit of Q being mg/cm².

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the initial algebraic manipulations, but there is agreement on the final unit conversion leading to mg/cm². The discussion reflects uncertainty in the intermediate steps.

Contextual Notes

Participants express concerns about the correctness of their algebraic skills and the handling of units, indicating potential limitations in their understanding of unit conversions and mathematical operations.

StheevilH
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Okay I found some references and the equation I am after is

Q = 2 * C * (D * t / ∏)^(1/2)

where Q is the weight of drug released per unit area (hence unit is mg/cm^2)

C is the initial drug concentration

D is the diffusion coefficient (unit of cm^2 min^-1)

and t is release time in min.



What I am not sure about is the units.

Logically the concentration of drug would be in g/L.

but when I merge all the units together, I get something else.


This is my working.

The units on the right hand side should equals to Q.


= 2 (constant) * C (g/L) * [D (cm^2 * min^-1) * t (min) / ∏ (constant)]^(1/2)

only considering units (ie discard constants)

= [g * cm^[2*(1/2)] * min^(1/2)] / [L * min^(-1 * 1/2)]

= g * cm * min^(1/2) / L * min^(-1/2)

= g * cm * min^(1/4) / L

which does not equals to unit of Q (mg/cm^2).



The units given are all correct but is there something I am missing here?

Breaking rules of powers perhaps?



Thank you!
 
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You are doing strange things, difficult to follow.

What is

$$ \sqrt {\frac {cm^2} {min} \times {min} }$$

equal to?
 
Borek said:
You are doing strange things, difficult to follow.

What is

$$ \sqrt {\frac {cm^2} {min} \times {min} }$$

equal to?


I think that should equals to just "cm"

If you look at the attachment, equation 24, that is what I am after

and the units were taken from other sources.

But to me, equation makes sense but units don't

from what I did.


Is there a problem with my algebra skill?
 

Attachments

StheevilH said:
I think that should equals to just "cm"

Good. Now multiply it by concentration in ## \frac {mg}{cm^3}##.
 
then it would equals to mg / cm^2... which is the unit of Q.

where did you get mg/cm^3?

oh wait... damn it... you changed L into cm^3...

thank you so much
 

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