Question

An aqueous solution is in equilibrium with a gaseous mixture containing an equal number of moles of helium, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. Rank the relative concentrations of each gas in the aqueous solution from highest to lowest. An aqueous solution is in equilibrium with a gaseous mixture containing an equal number of moles of helium, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. Rank the relative concentrations of each gas in the aqueous solution from highest to lowest.

[CO2][CO2] > [He][He] > [N2][N2] [N2][N2] > [CO2][CO2] > [He][He] [CO2][CO2] > [N2][N2] > [He][He] [He][He] > [N2][N2] > [CO2][CO2]

Answer 1

[CO2] > [N2] > [He]

Step-by-step explanation:

The relative concentration of CO2, N2 and He depends on the solubility of each gas in water. The more soluble in water a gas is, the greater its concentration in aqueous solution.

Among the gases listed, CO2 is most soluble in water hence it is expected to have the greatest concentration in solution followed by N2. Helium gas is insoluble in water hence it has the least concentration in the aqueous solution.