Final answer:
According to Henry's Law, the solubility of argon at a pressure of 2.5 atm is calculated to be 4.0 × 10⁻³ M, which aligns with option E.
Step-by-step explanation:
The solubility of argon (Ar) in water at 25 °C when the pressure of Ar above the solution is 1.0 atm is given as 1.6 × 10-3 M. According to Henry's Law, the solubility of a gas in a liquid is directly proportional to the pressure of the gas above the liquid. Mathematically, it is represented as S1/P1 = S2/P2, where S1 and S2 are the solubilities at pressures P1 and P2, respectively. Plugging in the known values, we have:
1.6 × 10-3 M / 1.0 atm = S2 / 2.5 atm
S2 = (2.5 atm) × (1.6 × 10-3 M) / 1.0 atm
S2 = 4.0 × 10-3 M
Therefore, the solubility of argon at a pressure of 2.5 atm is 4.0 × 10-3 M, which corresponds to option E.