Question

Dry air is 78.1% nitrogen. What is the partial pressure of nitrogen when the atmospheric pressure is (100 kPa)?

a) (78.1 kPa)
b) (21.9 kPa)
c) (54.1 kPa)
d) (12.5 kPa)

Answer 1

The partial pressure of nitrogen when the atmospheric pressure is 100 kPa is calculated to be 78.1 kPa, following the formula P = (Patm) X (percent content in mixture) and using nitrogen's 78.1% content in dry air.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asked about the partial pressure of nitrogen when the atmospheric pressure is 100 kPa. To calculate the partial pressure of nitrogen, you can use the formula: P = (Patm) X (percent content in mixture). Since dry air is 78.1% nitrogen, and the atmospheric pressure is given as 100 kPa, the partial pressure of nitrogen would be:

PN2 = 100 kPa * 0.781 = 78.1 kPa

This value corresponds with answer choice (a), so the partial pressure of nitrogen in this case is 78.1 kPa.