Question

According to , the atmosphere of Venus is approximately 96.5% CO₂ and 3.5% N₂ by volume. On the surface, where the temperature is about 750 K and the pressure is about 90 atm, what is the density of the atmosphere?

a) 3.5 kg/m³
b) 6.8 kg/m³
c) 9.2 kg/m³
d) 12.4 kg/m³

Answer 1

The density of the atmosphere on the surface of Venus can be calculated using the ideal gas law. Using the given composition of the atmosphere, temperature, and pressure, the density is approximately 9.2 kg/m³.

Step-by-step explanation:

The density of the atmosphere on the surface of Venus can be calculated using the ideal gas law, which states that density is equal to mass divided by volume. To find the mass, we first need to find the number of moles of each gas present. Given that the atmosphere is approximately 96.5% CO₂ and 3.5% N₂ by volume, we can calculate the moles of each gas using their respective percentages and the total volume of the atmosphere.

The molar mass of CO₂ is 44 g/mol, and the molar mass of N₂ is 28 g/mol. We can calculate the number of moles of CO₂ and N₂ using their respective percentages and the total volume of the atmosphere. Once we have the moles of each gas, we can calculate the mass by multiplying the moles by their respective molar masses. Finally, we can calculate the density by dividing the mass by the volume.

Using the given composition of the atmosphere, the temperature of 750 K, and the pressure of 90 atm, the density of the atmosphere on the surface of Venus is approximately 9.2 kg/m³.