Theoretical Plates

Theoretical plates are a concept used in chromatography, a technique for separating mixtures. Think of them as imaginary "layers" or zones where the components of a mixture can equilibrate between different phases (like liquid and gas). Each plate represents a stage of balance, helping to understand and quantify how well a separation process works. More theoretical plates mean better separation, as compounds have more opportunities to disperse, allowing analysts to distinguish closely related substances more effectively. Ultimately, the number of plates indicates the efficiency of the separation process.