Final answer:
To find the partial pressures of the components in dry air, multiply the total pressure (0.9 atm) by the percentage composition of each gas. The calculated partial pressures for N₂, O₂, Ar, and CO₂ are 0.67968 atm, 0.20835 atm, 0.01152 atm, and 0.000414 atm, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is seeking to calculate the partial pressures of nitrogen (N₂), oxygen (O₂), argon (Ar), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) in dry air at sea level given a total pressure of 0.9 atm. Using the provided mass percentage composition of dry air and the relation P = (Patm) X (percent content in mixture), we can find the partial pressures as follows:
- Partial pressure of N₂: P(N₂) = 0.9 atm * 75.52% = 0.67968 atm
- Partial pressure of O₂: P(O₂) = 0.9 atm * 23.15% = 0.20835 atm
- Partial pressure of Ar: P(Ar) = 0.9 atm * 1.28% = 0.01152 atm
- Partial pressure of CO₂: P(CO₂) = 0.9 atm * 0.046% = 0.000414 atm
Therefore, the partial pressure of nitrogen in dry air is approximately 0.67968 atm, oxygen is approximately 0.20835 atm, argon is approximately 0.01152 atm, and carbon dioxide is approximately 0.000414 atm.