Equal masses of 3 ideal gases x, y, z are mixed in a sealed rigid container. If the temperature of the system remains constant, which of the following statements about the partial pressure of gas X is correct?

A) It is equal to 1 / 3 the total pressure

B) It depends upon the intermolecular forces of attraction between molecules of X, Y and Z.

C) It depends on the relative molecular masses of X, Y and Z.

D) it depends on the average distance traveled between the molecular collisions

Question

Mikaela Harmon

Chemistry

6 January, 01:15

Equal masses of 3 ideal gases x, y, z are mixed in a sealed rigid container. If the temperature of the system remains constant, which of the following statements about the partial pressure of gas X is correct?

A) It is equal to 1 / 3 the total pressure

B) It depends upon the intermolecular forces of attraction between molecules of X, Y and Z.

C) It depends on the relative molecular masses of X, Y and Z.

D) it depends on the average distance traveled between the molecular collisions

+2

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Humberto Villa · Answer 1

C) It depends on the relative molecular masses of X, Y and Z.

Explanation:

Dalton's law for the partial pressure of an ideal gas in a mixture is given by the relationship:

Pa = Xa Ptotal,

where Xa is the mole fraction of gas A times the total pressure (Pa + Pb + Pc ...)

The mole fraction is, in turn, given by

Xa = mol A / total # moles

Since the moles of a substance is the mass divided by its molecular weight, it follows that answer C) is the correct one.