Calculate the partial pressure of propane in a mixture that contains equal numbers of of moles of propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10) at 20 degrees C and 844 mmHg. (R=0.082 L-atm/K mol)
To calculate the partial pressure of propane in the mixture, we need to use Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures. According to this law, the total pressure of a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of each individual gas.
In this case, we need to find the partial pressure of propane (C3H8). The total pressure of the mixture is given as 844 mmHg.
Since the mixture contains an equal number of moles of propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10), we can assume that the mole fractions of both gases are the same.
To calculate the partial pressure of propane, we can use the mole fraction of propane and the total pressure of the mixture.
The mole fraction of propane (Xpropane) can be calculated using the formula:
Xpropane = (moles of propane) / (total moles of gas)
Since the number of moles of propane and butane are equal, we can consider them as the total moles of gas.
Xpropane = (moles of propane) / (moles of propane + moles of butane)
To calculate the moles of propane and butane, we need to know the molar masses of propane and butane.
The molar mass of propane (C3H8) is calculated as:
Molar mass of propane = (3 * Molar mass of carbon) + (8 * Molar mass of hydrogen)
The molar mass of carbon (C) is approximately 12.01 g/mol, and the molar mass of hydrogen (H) is approximately 1.01 g/mol.
Molar mass of propane = (3 * 12.01 g/mol) + (8 * 1.01 g/mol)
Once you have the molar mass of propane, divide the total mass of propane by the molar mass to get moles of propane.
To calculate the partial pressure of propane, we can use the formula:
Partial pressure of propane = Xpropane * total pressure
Substitute the calculated values into the formula to get the result.
Remember to convert the given temperature (in degrees Celsius) to Kelvin by adding 273.15 to get the correct value for the ideal gas law.
equal number of mols propane and butane means Xbutane = 0.5 and Xpropane = 0.5
Then pbutane = Xbutane*Ptotal
ppropane = Xpropane*Ptotal