Question

Trimix 10/50 is a gas mixture that contains 10% oxygen and 50% helium, and the rest is nitrogen. a tank of trimix 10/50 has a total pressure of 2.07×104 kpa. what is the partial pressure of nitrogen?

a. 2.07×103 kpa 2.07 times 10 to the power of 3 end power kilopascal
b. 2.07×104 kpa 2.07 times 10 to the power of 4 end power kilopascal
c.1.04×104 kpa 1.04 times 10 to the power of 4 end power kilopascal
d.8.3×103 kpa 8.3 times 10 to the power of 3 end power kilopascal

Answer 1

The partial pressure of nitrogen in a tank of trimix 10/50 with a total pressure of 2.07×104 kPa is 8.3×103 kPa, calculated by multiplying the total pressure by the fraction of nitrogen in the mixture.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question at hand involves calculating the partial pressure of nitrogen in a tank of trimix 10/50 gas mixture, which is important for divers to know for safe diving practices. Given that the mixture is composed of 10% oxygen, 50% helium, and the rest nitrogen, we can infer that nitrogen makes up 40% of the mix because the percentages must add up to 100%.

To find the partial pressure of nitrogen, we use the formula:

Partial pressure of nitrogen = Total pressure × Fraction of nitrogen

Substituting the given total pressure (2.07×104 kPa) and the fraction of nitrogen (40%, or 0.40), we get:

Partial pressure of nitrogen = 2.07×104 kPa × 0.40 = 8.28×103 kPa

However, since the options are listed in significant figures, we round the value to 8.3×103 kPa to match the option (d) in the given choices.