Question

A container contains equal amounts of helium, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. If 1.0 g of carbon dioxide leaks from the container by effusion, what mass of nitrogen and helium escapes?

Answer 1

molar mass of carbon dioxide CO₂ = 44 g/mol

molar mass of helium He = 4 g/mol

molar mass of nitrogen N₂ = 28 g/mol

Given that 1.0 g of carbon dioxide leaks from the container by effusion.

According to Grahams law, Rate of effusion is inversely proportional to square root of its molar mass.

r2/r1 = (M1/M2)^1/2       

M = molar mass r = rate of effusion

He:

rHe/rCO2 = (M_CO2/MHe)^1/2

rHe/1 g = (44/4)^1/2

Then,

rHe = 3.3 g

Hence,

rate of effusion of He = 3.3 g

N2:

r_N2/r_CO2 = (M_CO2/M_N2)^1/2

r_N2/1 g = (44/28)^1/2

Then,

r_N2 = 1.25 g

Hence, rate of effusion of N2 = 1.25 g

Therefore,

mass of nitrogen escape = 1.25 g

mass of helium escape = 3.3 g