Question

Imagine a planet that has a similar atmospheric pressure to Earth (760 mmHg) but different concentrations of gases in its atmosphere. On this hypothetical planet, oxygen makes up 10% of the atmosphere, carbon dioxide makes up 15%, and nitrogen makes up the remaining 75%. Based on this information, what is the partial pressure of oxygen on this new planet?

Answer 1

"76 mmHg" is the partial pressure of oxygen on this new planet.

Step-by-step explanation:

Atmospheric pressure on air on earth = 760 mmHg

On an unknown planet :

Oxygen makes up 10% of the atmosphere.

The mole fraction of oxygen gas can be written as
`x_1 = (10)/(100) = 0.1`

Carbon dioxide makes up 15% of the atmosphere.

The mole fraction of carbon dioxide gas can be written as
`x_2 = (15)/(100) = 0.15`

Nitrogen makes up the remaining 75% of the atmosphere.

The mole fraction of nitrogen gas can be written as
`x_3 = (75)/(100) =0.75`

Atmospheric pressure of air on unknown planet,p= 760 mmHg (given)

Partial pressure of gases can be calculated by the help of Dalton's law of partial pressure:

Partial pressure of oxygen gas :

`p_1 = p * x_1`

`= 760mmHg * 0.1\\=76mmHg`

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide gas :

`p_2 = p * x_2`

`= 760mmHg * 0.15\\= 114mmHg`

Partial pressure of nitrogen gas :

`p_3 = p * x_3`

`= 760mmHg * 0.75\\=570mmHg`

"76 mmHg" is the partial pressure of oxygen on this new planet.