Question

A sample of gas isolated from unrefined petroleum contains 90.0% CH4, 8.9% C2H6, and 1.1% C3H8 at a total pressure of 307.2 kPa. What is the partial pressure of each component of this gas?

Answer 1

Answer:

276.48 atm → CH₄

27.3 atm → C₂H₆

3.38 atm → C₃H₈

Explanation:

Percentages of each gas, are the mole fraction

0.9 CH₄

0.089 C₂H₆

0.011 C₃H₈

Mole fraction = Partial pressure each gas/ Total pressure

0.9 = Partial pressure CH₄ / 307.2 kPa

307.2 kPa . 0.9 = 276.48 atm

0.089 = Partial pressure C₂H₆ / 307.2 kPa

307.2 kPa . 0.089 = 27.3 atm

0.011 = Partial pressure C₃H₈ / 307.2 kPa

307.2 kPa . 0.011 = 3.38 atm