Question

Air contains nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and trace gases. if the partial pressure of nitrogen is 587 mmhg, oxygen is 158 mmhg, argon is 7mmhg, and the trace gas pressure is negligible, what is the atmospheric pressure?

Answer 1

According to Dalton's Law of Partial pressure, the pressure exerted by a mixture of non-reacting gases is equal to the sum of their partial pressure.

Mathematically,

Total Pressure = P₍₁₎ + P₍₂₎ + P₍₃₎ + ....... ------(1)
Data given:

Partial pressure of Nitrogen = P₍₁₎ = 587 mmHg

Partial pressure of Oxygen = P₍₂₎ = 158 mmHg

Partial pressure of Argon = P₍₃₎ = 7.00 mmHg

Putting these values in eq 1.

Total Pressure = 587 mmHg + 158 mmHg + 7 mmHg

Total Pressure = 752 mmHg