Question

Nitrogen dioxide is a red-brown gas responsible for the brown color of smog. A container of nitrogen dioxide that is at low pressure and at room temperature has a volume of 3.41L. After more nitrogen dioxide is added, the container holds 2.28×10−2mol of nitrogen dioxide and the volume of the container is 5.11L, still at the same pressure and temperature. How many moles of nitrogen dioxide were in the container initially? Give your answer in three significant figures.

Answer 1

Initially
`1.51* 10^(-2) moles` of nitrogen dioxide were in the container .

Step-by-step explanation:

Volume of the container at low pressure and at room temperature =
`V_1=3.4 L`

Number of moles in the container =
`n_1`

After more addition of nitrogen gas at the same pressure and temperature.

Volume of the container after addition =
`V_2=5.11 L`

Number of moles in the container after addition=
`n_2=2.28* 10^(-2) mol`

Applying Avogadro's law:

`(Volume)/(Moles)=constant` (at constant pressure and temperature)

`(V_1)/(n_1)=(V_2)/(n_2)`

`n_1=(V_1* n_2)/(V_2)=(3.4 L* 2.28* 10^(-2) mol)/(5.11 L)`

`n_1=1.51* 10^(-2) mol`

Initially
`1.51* 10^(-2) moles` of nitrogen dioxide were in the container .