Air is a mixture of 21% O2, 78% N2, and 1% argon by volume. What is the partial pressure of each gas at sea level, where the total pressure is 760 mm Hg?

Question

Air is a mixture of 21% [latex]O_{2}[/latex], 78% [latex]N_{2}[/latex], and 1% argon by volume. What is the partial pressure of each gas at sea level, where the total pressure is 760 mm Hg?
Analysis
Convert each percent to a decimal by moving the decimal point two places to the left. Multiply each decimal by the total pressure to obtain the partial pressure for each component.

Accepted Answer

Partial pressure

Fraction [latex]O_{2}[/latex]:      21% = 0.21                               0.21 × 760 mm Hg = 160 mm Hg ([latex]O_{2}[/latex])
Fraction [latex]N_{2}[/latex]:             78% = 0.78                  0.78 × 760 mm Hg = 590 mm Hg ([latex]N_{2}[/latex])
Fraction Ar:                1% = 0.01                   0.01 × 760 mm Hg = 8 mm Hg (Ar)

758 rounded to 760 mm Hg

Question 6.sp.10: Air is a mixture of 21% O2, 78% N2, and 1% argon by volume. ...

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