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

Answer:

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

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 $x_1 = \frac{10}{100} = 0.1$

Carbon dioxide makes up 15% of the atmosphere.

The mole fraction of carbon dioxide gas can be written as $x_2 = \frac{15}{100} = 0.15$

Nitrogen makes up the remaining 75% of the atmosphere.

The mole fraction of nitrogen gas can be written as $x_3 = \frac{75}{100} =0.75$

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 :

                                       $p_1 = p \times x_1$

                                           $= 760mmHg \times 0.1\\=76mmHg$

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide gas :

                                      $p_2 = p \times x_2$

                                          $= 760mmHg \times 0.15\\= 114mmHg$

Partial pressure of nitrogen gas :

                                      $p_3 = p \times x_3$

                                          $= 760mmHg \times 0.75\\=570mmHg$

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