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A gas made up of nitrogen and oxygen contains 30.4% nitrogen. What is the mole fraction of nitrogen?

a. 0.695
b. 0.304
c. 0.396
d. 0.704

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The mole fraction of nitrogen in a gas mixture containing 30.4% nitrogen is calculated by translating the percentage directly into a decimal. The mole fraction (XN2) is 0.304, which is option b.

Step-by-step explanation:

The mole fraction of nitrogen in a gas mixture that contains 30.4% nitrogen can be calculated using the percentage of nitrogen and oxygen in the mixture. Since the remainder of the gas is oxygen, and we are assuming a binary mixture, oxygen would make up the remaining 69.6% (100% - 30.4%). The mole fraction (XN2) is the ratio of the number of moles of nitrogen to the total number of moles in the mixture.

To calculate the mole fraction, XN2, we should convert the percentages to a fraction:


  • Nitrogen (N2) = 30.4%

  • Oxygen (O2) = 69.6%

The mole fraction of nitrogen is then:

XN2 = 0.304 (ratio of nitrogen)

The mole fraction doesn't depend on the units but rather the ratio, so the translated percentage into a decimal gives us the mole fraction directly. Thus, the answer is b (0.304).

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