Question

You performed the experiment using air, which we know is actually a mixture of several gases. would the results of this experiment be improved if we used a sample of pure nitrogen

a) Yes
b) No

Answer 1

Whether the use of pure nitrogen improves experimental results depends on the experiment's objective. For studying nitrogen's properties or reactions in isolation, pure nitrogen could yield more accurate results. However, if real-world conditions are being simulated, using air may be appropriate.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a student performed an experiment using air, a mixture of gases, and is wondering if the use of pure nitrogen would improve the results, it depends on the objective of the experiment. Since air is a homogenous mixture of various gases, primarily nitrogen (about 78%), using pure nitrogen would eliminate the presence of other gases like oxygen, argon, and carbon dioxide. If the experiment's intent is to study nitrogen's specific properties or reactions in isolation without the influence of other gases, then pure nitrogen might yield more accurate results.

For instance, in experiments designed to understand the behavior of nitrogen alone, such as its reaction with other elements to form compounds like ammonia, using pure nitrogen would indeed improve the accuracy. It eliminates variables that could influence the experiment, like oxygen, which may react with other substances or influence the measurements. However, if the experiment aims to simulate real-world conditions, using air might be more appropriate, as it reflects the actual gaseous environment we encounter.