According to the rule of normality and molarity, which relation holds?

• A. Normality greater than Molarity
• B. Normality greater than or equal to Molarity
• C. Molarity greater than Normality
• D. Molarity equals Normality

Answer: (B)

Normality reflects reactive capacity per liter, not just the number of molecules. In titration-type contexts, it equals molarity times the number of equivalents per mole of solute—the valence factor. So N = M × n, where n is the equivalents per mole. Since a reactive solute typically has at least one reactive unit, n is at least 1, making normality at least equal to molarity. It becomes greater than molarity when the substance can furnish more than one reactive unit per molecule, such as a diprotic acid that donates two protons or a species that transfers more than one electron. Equivalence occurs when n = 1, as with monoprotic species like HCl or NaOH, where N = M. Therefore the general relation is normality is greater than or equal to molarity, with equality for monoprotic reagents and greater-than for polyfunctional ones.