Question

Given that P₂ = Kx₂, and O₂'s Henry's constant K for aqueous solution: 773 atmkgH₂O/mol at 25°C and 917 atmkgH₂O/mol at 37°C, which temperature is oxygen more soluble at?

a) 25°C
b) 37°C
c) 65°C
d) 49°C

Answer 1

Oxygen is more soluble in water at
`25°C` compared to
`37°C` because the Henry's law constant is lower at
`25°C` , indicating higher solubility.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering the solubility of a gas in a liquid according to Henry's law, we need to look at the Henry's law constant
`(K)` values provided for
`O2` at different temperatures. The question asks at which temperature oxygen is more soluble in water.

The Henry's law constant for
`O2` is
`773 atmkgH2O/mol` at
`25°C`

and
`917 atmkgH2O/mol at 37°C` .

As Henry's law states that the solubility of a gas in a liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of the gas above the liquid, the constant
`K` represents the solubility of the gas: a higher
`K` value means a lower solubility.

Therefore oxygen is more soluble at
`25°C` than at
`37°C` as it corresponds to the lower value of the Henry's law constant K which indicates a higher solubility of oxygen in water.