The number of theoretical plates (N)

[hello]

Hi everyone,
I'm a university sutendent and right now i have a problem. I've been learning about HPLC, but I don't understand what the The number of theoretical plates (N) represents. I know there's more than one one way to find it , but I don't understand with it physically mean.

Thanks for you help
Cindy

[tom jupille]

That's why there's an FAQ ("Frequently Asked Questions") link near the upper left corner of the screen. Click on it and drill down to questions about LC terminology.