title: The prediction of water activities in multicomponent systems.
abstract: The molecular bases of the equilibrium water activity concept are discussed and illustrated using some simplified examples. It is shown, using a relatively refined treatment, that at the moment we are not in a position to predict water activities, even for simple systems. A method is described which allows the prediction of the water activity of multicomponent systems from the properties of solutions containing one and two solutes. The method can also be used to predict solubilities in systems containing more than one solute, and this is illustrated with an example.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The University, Sheffield, U.K.
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lilley
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sutton
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D012995:Solubility; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water