![](slide0013_image032.png)
When
the retention time, tR, is held constant, the column that produces peaks with narrower bases, wb, will
be more efficient – have a greater N value.
Likewise a
column that produces wider peaks will be less efficient – have a smaller N value.
This is because a smaller denominator, wb,
will yield a larger overall number
and a larger denominator will yield a smaller number.
Larger N
Smaller N
tR
tR
![](slide0013_image035.png)
wb
wb
![](slide0013_image038.png)