Spontaneous drug release rate equation

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the equation for spontaneous drug release rate, specifically Q = 2 * C * (D * t / ∏)^(1/2), where Q represents the weight of drug released per unit area. The user is confused about the units, initially considering drug concentration in g/L but struggling to reconcile this with the expected unit of Q, which is mg/cm^2. Through calculations, it is clarified that when the concentration is converted to mg/cm^3, the units align correctly. The conversation highlights the importance of unit conversion and algebraic manipulation in understanding the equation. Ultimately, the user resolves their confusion by recognizing the need to convert L into cm^3 for consistency.
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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