Question

A 20.0 liter cylinder containing a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen gas is sitting at room temperature (25.0 ^oC). Given that the mole fraction of nitrogen is 0.24, and the partial pressure of oxygen is 1.60 atm, what is the total pressure of the gas mixture in this container?

Answer 1

Given that the mole fraction of nitrogen is 0.24

Then, mole fraction of oxygen = 1- 0.24 = 0.76 [ sum of mole fraction of all the species = 1]

Also given that partial pressure of oxygen = 1.60 atm

We know that

Partial pressure of gas = mole fraction of the gas x total pressure of the gas mixture

Then,

Partial pressure of oxygen = mole fraction of oxygen x total pressure of the gas mixture

1.6 atm = 0.76 x total pressure of the gas mixture

Then,

total pressure of the gas mixture = 1.6 atm/ 0.76 = 2.105 atm

Therefore,

the total pressure of the gas mixture in the container = 2.105 atm