Question

If a steel container holds 3.50 moles of hydrogen gas and 3.50 moles of helium gas, and the total pressure is 4.00 atm., what is the partial pressure of each of the gases

Answer 1

Answer:

1. Partial pressure of H₂ = 2 atm

2. Partial pressure of He = 2 atm

Explanation:

The following data were obtained from the question:

Mole of H₂ = 3.50 moles

Mole of He = 3.50 moles

Total pressure (Pₜ) = 4 atm

Partial pressure of H₂ =?

Partial pressure of He =?

Next, we shall determine the mole fraction of each gas this can be obtained as follow:

Mole of H₂ = 3.50 moles

Mole of He = 3.50 moles

Total mole = Mole of H₂ + Mole of He

Total mole = 3.50 + 3.50

Total mole = 7 moles

Mole fraction of H₂ = mole of H₂ / Total mole

Mole fraction of H₂ = 3.5/7

Mole fraction of H₂ = 0.5

Mole fraction of He = mole of He / Total mole

Mole fraction of He = 3.5/7

Mole fraction of He = 0.5

1. Determination of the partial pressure of H₂.

Mole fraction of H₂ = 0.5

Total pressure (Pₜ) = 4 atm

Partial pressure of H₂ =?

Partial pressure of H₂ = Mole fraction of H₂ × Pₜ

Partial pressure of H₂ = 0.5 × 4

Partial pressure of H₂ = 2 atm

2. Determination of the partial pressure of He.

Total pressure (Pₜ) = 4 atm

Partial pressure of H₂ = 2 atm

Partial pressure of He =?

Total pressure (Pₜ) = Partial pressure of H₂ + Partial pressure of He

4 = 2 + Partial pressure of He

Collect like terms

Partial pressure of He = 4 – 2

Partial pressure of He = 2 atm