theoretical plate

== English == === Noun === theoretical plate (plural theoretical plates) (physics, chemistry) A plate or tray in a distillation column that produces the best possible difference between the liquid and vapor phases in equilibrium with it; the equivalent concept in a fractionating column packed with beads or rings. ==== Usage notes ==== The number of theoretical plates in a fractionating column is a measure of its ability to separate components. ==== Further reading ==== theoretical plate on Wikipedia.Wikipedia