Question

Laparoscopic surgery involves inflating the abdomen with carbon dioxide gas to separate the internal organs and the abdominal wall.

If the CO2 injected into the abdomen produces a pressure of 17 mmHg and a volume of 4.20 L at 30. ∘C, how many grams of CO2 were used?

Answer 1

According to Ideal gas equation

PV = nRT

n = PV/RT

P = 17 mmHg = 0.0224 atm

V = 4.20 L

T = 30 + 273 = 303 K

R = 0.0821 L.atm/mol.K

n = 0.0224*4.20/(0.0821*303)

   = 0.00378 moles

mass of CO2 = moles*molarmass

                     = 0.00378*44

                     = 0.1663 g of CO2.