Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 482

Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

Teaching for Conceptual Understanding

Several named laws (Avogadro’s, Boyles, Charles’s, and Dalton’s partial pressures) describe the basis properties
of gases. Remember it is the relationships among pressure, volume, temperature, and amount of gas that are
important and not the name of the person who discovered the relationship.
Students will grasp and retain the gas laws more readily if the laws are presented on a macroscopic, particulate,
mathematical and graphical level. The particulate nature of gases can be easily illustrated with a Molecular
Motion Demonstrator (Educational Materials and Equipment Company) that fits on an overhead projector.
Movement of ball bearings in a glass frame at varying levels of vibration is used to show random motion of gas
molecules, Avogadro’s law, Boyles’s law, Charles’s law and diffusion.
Two misconceptions students have about gases are (1) as a gas is compressed, the volume decreases, pressure
increases, and mass decreases, and (2) gases have no mass. Weighing a balloon empty and then inflated will show
that gases do indeed have mass.
Another misconception is that no matter exists at absolute zero. Figure 10.11 shows the volume of gas is zero at
absolute zero. Explain that real atoms or molecules originally in the gas state are now condensed.
Every day during weather reports, students hear the barometric pressure reading but few understand what it is.
Demonstrating a simple barometer as shown in Figure 10.3, or setting up a barometer in your classroom for daily
monitoring will help students visualize the effect of atmospheric pressure. Students tend to believe that colorless
gases are safe, and that colored gases are pollution. Point out that the many colorless gases are dangerous.

Suggestions for Effective Learning

Boyle’s law can be demonstrated by placing an inflated balloon under a bell jar and drawing a vacuum on it.
Charles’s law can be demonstrated by adding a cup of boiling water to a gallon-size metal can (empty, clean,
paint thinner cans work well) and then screwing on the cap.
The stoichiometry of gases provides an excellent review of general stoichiometry concepts. Use this time to
revisit mole-to-mole, mole-to-gram, gram-to-mole, gram-to-gram, solution stoichiometry, and limiting reactants.
Be sure to discuss automobile air bags with your class because it is one of the few real-world application of gas
law stoichiometry.
Although gas law calculations are generally algorithmic, students are unsuccessful because of simple errors. Tell
them to be on the look out for these: (1) density of gases is in units of g/L and not g/mL, (2) not converting
temperature in °C to K, and (3) using the wrong ideal gas law constant.

Cooperative Learning Activities

Questions, problems, and topics that can be used for Cooperative Learning Exercises and other group work are:
• Demonstrations of gas properties provide an excellent opportunity for students to evaluate macroscopic
phenomena. Before doing a demonstration, ask students to predict what will happen, next do the
demonstration and have students write down their observations, then have students discuss their
predictions and observations.
• Questions for Review and Thought from the end of this chapter: 12, 92-93, 95-96, 106, 108-113, 118-
121, 123, 126, 132, and 140.
• Conceptual Challenge Problems: CP10.A, CP10.B
• Concept mapping terms: Avogadro's law, barometer, Boyle’s law, Charles’s law, combined gas law,
compressibility, Dalton’s law of partial pressures, ideal gas, ideal gas law, kinetic-molecular theory,
pressure, standard temperature and pressure, standard molar volume.
483 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

End-of-Chapter Solutions for Chapter 10

Summary Problem
Answer: (a) PN = 573 mm Hg, PO = 154 mm Hg (b) P N = 4012 mmHg, PO = 1072 (c) 18 mm Hg
2 2 2 2
(d) 0.30 mol O2 (e) 0.45 g NO (f) See equation below (g) 0.68 g NO 2 (h) See information below
Strategy and Explanation:
(a) Given the total atmospheric pressure, determine the partial pressure of N 2 and O2, the mole fraction of each
gas, and the percent by volume. Use Table 10.1 to get the percentages by volume of N 2 and O2 in a sample
of the atmosphere: N2 is 78.084% by volume; O2 is 20.948% by volume.
According to Avogadro’s law, moles and gas volumes are proportional, so the mole fraction is equal to the
volume fraction.

Similarly, XO = 0.20948.
2
Partial pressure Pi = XiPtot
PN = XN Ptot = (0.78084)  (734 mm Hg) = 573 mm Hg
2 2
PO = XO Ptot = (0.20948)  (734 mm Hg) = 154 mm Hg
2 2
(b) When the pressure is increased by a factor of 7
PN = 7  (573 mm Hg) = 4012 mm Hg
2
PO = 7  (154 mm Hg) = 1076 mm Hg
2
(c) Given temperature, cylinder volume, fuel volume, and fuel density, calculate the partial pressure of the fuel in
the cylinder. First, calculate the moles of fuel:

T = 150 °C + 273.15 = 423.15  420 K (rounded to tens place)

(d) The balanced equation for the complete combustion of is C 8H18:

2 C8H18() + 25 O2(g) 16 CO2(g) + 18 H2O(g)
Use the calculated moles of C8H18 and the stoichiometry to find the moles of O 2.

= 0.30 mol O2

(e) The partial pressure of the N2(g) in the cylinder, the volume, and the temperature are calculated in (b). Use
the ideal gas law to determine the number of moles in the reaction cylinder:
 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 484

The reaction that N2(g) undergoes to form NO has this equation:

N2(g) + O2(g) 2 NO(g)

We are told to assume 10.% of the N2(g) reacts to form NO.

0.015 mol NO

0.45 g NO

(f) The reaction that produces photochemically active NO 2 has the following equation:
NO(g) + O2(g) NO2(g)
(g) Using stoichiometry:

(h) There is a variety of information needed to calculate the NO emissions for an entire city for a year, including:
population of the city, fraction of the population using vehicles, the number of vehicles used, the number of
cylinders in those vehicles, the number of times the cylinder fires per minute, the amount of time the vehicles
are in operation per day, etc.

Questions for Review and Thought

Review Questions
1. Section 10.4 gives five gas laws. Three of these gas laws relate just P, V, and/or T for a gas sample. They
are Boyle’s, Charles’, and the combined gas law. The other two (Avogadro’s law and the ideal gas law) also
relate to the quantity of gas present, n, in moles.
Boyle’s law states that the volume (V) of an ideal gas varies inversely with the applied pressure (P) when
temperature (T) and the amount of gas (n, moles) are constant.

(unchanging T and n)

P1V1 = P2V2 (unchanging T and n)

Charles’ law states that the volume (V) of an ideal gas varies directly with the absolute temperature (T)
when pressure (P) and the amount of gas (n, moles) are constant.
(unchanging P and n)

(P and n constant)

The combined gas law states that volume (V) of an ideal gas varies inversely with the applied pressure
(P) and directly with the absolute temperature (T) when the amount of gas (n, moles) is constant.

(n constant)
485 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

2. STP is an acronym for “Standard Temperature and Pressure.” When studying gases, standard temperature is
exactly 0 °C or 273.15 K, and standard pressure is exactly 1 atmosphere.
3. The volume occupied by one mole of an ideal gas at STP is 22.414 L. (Section 10.4)
4. Pressure is force exerted per unit area. (Section 10.2)
5. Avogadro’s law (Section 10.4, page 436) states that the volume (V) of an ideal gas varies directly with the
amount of gas (n, moles) when the temperature (T) and pressure (P) are constant.
(unchanging T and P)
Any balanced equation can be interpreted using mole quantities.
O2(g) + 2 H2(g) 2 H2O (g)
One mol of oxygen gas reacts with two mol of hydrogen gas to make two mol of steam. In addition,
Avogadro’s law allows us to also interpret a balanced equation with gas reactants and gas products in terms of
gas volumes. For example:
O2(g) + 2 H2(g) 2 H2O (g)
One volume of oxygen gas reacts with two volumes of hydrogen gas to make 2 volumes of steam, if all the
volumes are measured at the same temperature and pressure.
6. Dalton’s law and its applications are described in Section 10.7, page 446. Dalton’s law of partial pressures
states that the total pressure (P) exerted by a mixture of gases is the sum of their partial pressures (p 1, p2, p3,
etc.), if the volume (V) and temperature (T) are constant.
(unchanging V and T)
Ptot = p1 + p2 + p3 + ... (V and T constant)
Knowing the percentage of a gas on a mole basis, we can determine its mole fraction.

Knowing the mole fraction and the total pressure, we can determine its partial pressure.
pi = XiPtot
A mixture of gases that is 78% N2 and 22% O2 on a mole basis, has a total pressure is 720 mm Hg.

pO = (0.22)  (720 mm Hg) = 1.6  102 mm Hg

2
7. The force of the molecules hitting the walls of the container causes the pressure of a gas. If the temperature is
constant, then the average speed of the molecules is fixed. If the number of moles of gas is constant, then the
number of molecules hitting the walls doesn’t change. So, if the walls are moved farther apart, due to an
increase in volume, the molecules will have to travel further to hit the walls, and therefore they will hit the
walls less often. If there are fewer collisions with the wall, there is less force, and the pressure goes down.
So, an increase in volume causes a decrease in pressure, as stated by Boyle’s law.
8. Gases at low temperature have smaller average kinetic energy, which means they are relatively slow. If the
pressure is also high, that means they are relatively close together. When molecules are close together and
moving slowly, there is a much better chance that intermolecular forces will be experienced between them.
The ideal gas law assumes that the gas particles do not interact. A gas will not behave like an ideal gas if
significant interactive forces are experienced.
9. There is no reference in the chapter about carbon dioxide’s or water’s ability to absorb ultraviolet radiation.
Rather, the textbook talks at length about ozone’s key role doing this in the atmosphere. If carbon dioxide
and water could also absorb ultraviolet radiation, we would not have to worry so much about stratospheric
ozone depletion. It’s worth looking briefly at the relative bond strengths, since ultraviolet radiation from the
sun is absorbed by ozone and breaks the relatively weak O–O bond in ozone (with an average bond enthalpy
of 302 kJ/mol). The C=O bonds in carbon dioxide (803 kJ/mol) and the H–O bonds in water (467 kJ/mol) are
much stronger and would absorb a higher frequency radiation. (Refer to Table 8.2.)
 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 486

10. Primary pollutants enter the environment directly from their source. Examples are: particle pollutants,
including aerosols and particulates; sulfur dioxide; nitrogen oxides; hydrocarbons. Secondary Pollutants are
produced from the chemical reactions of primary pollutants. Examples are: ozone and PAN
(peroxyacetylnitrate). See Section 10.11 for details.
487 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

Topical Questions
The Atmosphere (Section 10.1)
11. Answer/Explanation: Nitrogen serves to moderate the reactiveness of oxygen by diluting it. Oxygen sustains
animal life as a reactant in the conversion of food to energy. Oxygen is produced by plants in the process of
photosynthesis.
12. Answer/Explanation: Starting from the earth’s surface, the first layer of the atmosphere is called the
“troposphere” and the next layer up is called the “stratosphere.” Many reactions occur in the troposphere,
since that is where humans and all other known life on earth live. Tropospheric chemical reactions include
combustion, respiration, photosynthesis, creation of primary pollutants, and conversion of primary pollutants
to secondary pollutants. Few reactions between molecules occur in the stratosphere, since the air pressure
there is very low. Ultraviolet light from the sun does interact with molecules there, breaking bonds and
creating free radicals. The ozone layer, and its associated reactions, is in the stratosphere.
13. Answer: See table below
Strategy and Explanation: Convert all the numbers in Table 10.1 to parts per million (ppm) and parts per
billion (ppb)
To accomplish these conversions, we need to describe a relationship between percent and ppm and ppb:

Percent gas in air =

Parts per million gas in air =

So, 1% = 10,000 ppm. Multiply the number in units of percent by 10,000 to get ppm.

Parts per billion gas in air =

So, 1ppm = 1,000 ppb. Multiply the number in units of ppm by 1,000 to get ppm.

Molecule ppm ppb

N2 780,840 780,840,000 
O2 209,480 209,480,000
Ar 9,340 9,340,000
CO2 330 330,000
Ne 18.2 18,200 > 1 ppm
H2 10. 10,000
He 5.2 5,200
CH4 2 2,000 
Kr 1 1,000 
CO 0.1 100 between
Xe 0.08 80 1ppm
O3 0.02 20 and
NH3 0.01 10 1ppb
NO2 0.001 1 
SO2 0.0002 0.2 < 1ppb

 Reasonable Answer Check: The numbers are different only by the appropriate factor of 10.
 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 488

14. Answer: 4  109 metric tons, 9  1014 mol He

Strategy and Explanation: Given the mass of the atmosphere and the mass fraction of helium in ppm,
determine the mass and moles of helium in the atmosphere
Use the mass fraction in terms of metric tons as a conversion factor to determine the mass of helium. Use
metric and molar mass conversion factors to determine the moles of helium.

 Reasonable Answer Check: Air has a small proportion of He, but the huge quantity of air means there is
still a large amount of helium, both in metric tons and in moles. (If you use rounded intermediate numbers,
the answer is 1  1015 mol.)
15. Answer: 1.5  108 metric tons added, 2  106 metric tons total
Strategy and Explanation: Given the mass of a sample of coal, the percentage of sulfur in the coal, the
weight fraction of SO2 in the atmosphere, and (given in Question 14) the mass of the atmosphere, determine
the mass of SO2 added to the atmosphere, and the total amount of SO 2 in the atmosphere.
To answer the first question, use metric conversions and the mass fraction as a conversion factor to determine
the mass of sulfur. Use mole and molar mass conversion factors to determine the mass of SO 2, assuming that
all the sulfur in the coal is converted to SO 2 and released into the atmosphere. Convert the mass back to
metric tons. To answer the second question, use the mass of the atmosphere (given in Question 14) and the
mass fraction of SO2 in terms of metric tons as a conversion factor to determine the total mass of SO 2.
First find the mass of S:

Then, find the mass of SO2:

Then, convert the mass of SO2 back to metric tons:

was added to the atmosphere in 1980

Get the total mass of SO2 currently in the atmosphere

 Reasonable Answer Check: It is clear that some of the SO2 presumably released into the atmosphere in
1980 is no longer there, since the total mass of SO 2 is less than what was introduced that year. SO 2 is a
reactive gas, getting oxidized to SO3 in the presence of air and then producing sulfuric acid when reacting
with rainwater. This removes the sulfur from the air. See Section 10.10 for more details on acid rain and SO 2
as a primary pollutant.

Properties of Gases (Section 10.2)

16. Answer: (a) 0.947 atm (b) 950. mm Hg (c) 542 torr (d) 98.7 kPa (e) 6.91 atm
Strategy and Explanation: Convert a series of pressure quantities into other pressure units.
Use Table 10.2 to design conversion factors to achieve the conversions.
489 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

 Reasonable Answer Check: The unit of atm represents a lot more pressure than the units of kPa, torr, and
mm Hg, so it makes sense that the numbers of atmospheres are always much smaller than the pressure
expressed in these other units. The unit of kPa represents more pressure than the units of torr and mm Hg, so
it makes sense that the numbers of kPa are always smaller than the pressure expressed in the other units of
torr and mm Hg. Torr and mm Hg are the same size, so their quantities should be identical.
17. Answer: (a) 0.158 atm (b) 1.52  103 mm Hg (c) 750. mm Hg (d) 2 atm (d) 0.36 atm (f) 5  103 mm
Hg
Strategy and Explanation: Convert a series of pressure quantities into other pressure units.
Use Table 10.2 to design conversion factors to achieve the conversions.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

 Reasonable Answer Check: The unit of atm represents a lot more pressure than the units of kPa, torr, and
mm Hg, so it makes sense that the numbers of atmospheres are always much smaller than the pressure
expressed in these other units. The unit of kPa represents more pressure than the units of torr and mm Hg, so
it makes sense that the numbers of kPa are always smaller than the pressure expressed in the other units of
torr and mm Hg. Torr and mm Hg are the same size, so their quantities should be identical.
18. Answer: 14 m
Strategy and Explanation: Given the density of mercury, the density of an oil used to construct a barometer,
and the atmospheric pressure, determine the height in meters of the oil column in the oil barometer.
Use Table 10.2 to convert the pressure into mm Hg. Pressure on the liquid pushes the liquid up the barometer
until its mass exerts the same force per unit area as the air pressure: P liquid = Force/Area = mg2/Area. Since
g is a constant, the force per unit area of the liquid counteracting the air pressure is proportional to just the
mass per unit area. Relate the mass per unit area of mercury to the mass per unit area of the oil for 1 atm
pressure. Relate the mass of each liquid to its respective density and volume. Relate the volume of each
liquid to the dimensions of its respective barometers, including the height. Relate the height of mercury in
the mercury barometer to the height of the oil in the oil barometer.
 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 490

According to Table 10.2, at 1.0 atm the height of a column of mercury in a mercury barometer is 760 mm.
Let m = mass of the liquid, A = cylindrical area of the barometer’s column, d = density of the liquid,
V = volume of the liquid, and h = the height of the liquid in the barometer. Now, equate the mass per unit
area of each barometer and derives an equation relating their heights:

 Reasonable Answer Check: A larger mass of oil will be needed to counterbalance the atmospheric pressure
because it is less dense than mercury. A higher column of oil makes sense.
19. Answer: 760 mm
Strategy and Explanation: If a perfect vacuum is established, atmospheric pressure will push the liquid
mercury up the tube 760 millimeters. To whatever extent the vacuum is imperfect, the height will be less
than that.
20. Answer/Explanation: With a perfect vacuum at the top of the well, this system would resemble a water
barometer. Using the equation derived in the solution to Question 18:

That means atmospheric pressure can only push water up to about 34 feet. The well cannot be deeper than
that, not even using a high quality vacuum pump. So, it would not help much at all to have such a vacuum
pump.
21. Answer: 2 atm, 1 atm
Strategy and Explanation: According to Question 20, each 34 feet of water creates 1 atm of pressure.

(1.77 atm rounded to 1 sig. fig.)

At sea level the pressure of the air bubbles will be atmospheric pressure, or 1 atm.

Kinetic-Molecular Theory (Section 10.3)

22. Answer: See I-V below; assumption III and IV become false at high P or low T; assumption I becomes
false at high P; assumption II is most nearly correct.
Strategy and Explanation: The five basic concepts of kinetic-molecular theory are given in Section 10.3:
I. A gas is composed of molecules whose size is much smaller than the distances between them.
II. Gas molecules move randomly at various speeds and in every possible direction.
III. Except when molecules collide, forces of attraction and repulsion between them are negligible.
IV. When collisions occur, they are elastic.
V. The average kinetic energy of gas molecules is proportional to the absolute temperature.
A discussion of nonideal behavior is provided in Section 10.8. Of these five basic assumptions, the ones that
become false at very high pressures or very low temperatures are assumptions III and IV. Slow molecules
491 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

crowded together are much more likely to interact even when they are not colliding. Collisions may not be
elastic under these circumstances, because colliding molecules might stick together due to large enough
interactive forces between them. Assumption I may become false at very high pressures, because the
molecules are crowded together reducing the distance between them.
The assumption that seems most likely to always be most nearly correct is assumption II. As long as a
substance is a gas, it retains the capacity to disperse to uniformly fill any container it is introduced into,
though the rate of dispersal may vary.
23. Answer: (a) average kinetic energy of the two samples is equal (b) Average molecular velocity in H 2
sample is greater (c) CO 2 sample has more molecules

Strategy and Explanation: Given equal volumes of two gases in separate flasks, their molecular identity,
their temperatures, and their pressures, compare (a) their average kinetic energy per molecule, (b) their
average molecular velocity, and (c) the number of molecules.
(a) Kinetic energy is proportional to temperature, so compare their temperatures to relate their kinetic
energy. The two samples have the same temperature, so the average kinetic energy per molecule in each
sample is the same.
(b) Kinetic energy is related to mass and velocity. Since we determine the relative kinetic energy in (a), use
that and their molar masses to determine their relative velocity. (c) Use the ideal gas law and the
relative P, T, and V to determine which has a larger number (in moles) of molecules.

Ekin = mv2 So,

Because the average kinetic energy of the two samples is the same, only the mass of the molecules
affects the velocity. The molecules with the smaller mass have the faster velocity. Here, H 2 (molar mass
= 2.0 g/mol) is lighter than CO2 (molar mass = 44.0 g/mol), so the molecules in the H2 sample are
moving with a higher velocity than those in the CO 2 sample.
(c) Because both the volume and temperature are the same, the only thing affecting the number of moles is
the pressure. The ideal gas law (PV = nRT) tells is that the pressure is directly proportional to the
number of moles, if the temperature and volume are fixed. Here, the CO 2 sample’s pressure (2 atm) is
twice that of H2 (1 atm), so the CO2 sample has twice as many molecules as the H 2 sample.
 Reasonable Answer Check: It makes sense that lightweight things go faster. The basic concepts of kinetic-
molecular theory help us see why these comparisons are sensible.
24. Answer: CH2Cl2 < Kr < N2 < CH4
Strategy and Explanation: Given the formulas of various atoms and molecules and their common
temperature, put their gases in order of increasing average molecular speed.
Kinetic energy is proportional to temperature. With all of the samples at the same temperature, their average
kinetic energies are the same. Kinetic energy is related to mass and velocity. E kin = mv2. Velocity is

related to kinetic energy and mass: . Therefore, molecules with smaller mass have the faster
molecular speed. To rank the molecules with increasing speed, rank them from the largest molar mass to the
smallest.
Estimate the molar masses: Kr molar mass 83.8 g/mol, CH 4 molar mass = 16.0 g/mol, N2 molar mass is
28.0 g/mol, CH2Cl2 molar mass = 84.9 g/mol.
slowest speed: CH2Cl2 < Kr < N2 < CH4 fastest speed
 Reasonable Answer Check: It makes sense that lightweight things go faster.
25. Answer: Cl2 < F2 < O2 < N2
Strategy and Explanation: Given the formulas of various molecules and their common temperature, put their
gases in order of increasing average molecular speed.
Kinetic energy is proportional to temperature. With all of the samples at the same temperature, their average
kinetic energies are the same. Kinetic energy is related to mass and velocity according to this equation:
 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 492

Ekin = mv2, so velocity is related to kinetic energy and mass: . Therefore, molecules with smaller

mass have the faster molecular speed. To rank the molecules with increasing speed, rank them from the
largest molar mass to the smallest.
Estimate the molar masses: Cl 2 molar mass = 71 g/mol, F2 molar mass = 38 g/mol, N2 molar mass = 28
g/mol, O2 molar mass = 32 g/mol.
slowest speed: Cl2 < F2 < O2 < N2 fastest speed
 Reasonable Answer Check: It makes sense that lightweight things go faster.
26. Answer: Ne
Strategy and Explanation: Given the formulas of various gases introduced into one end of a tube, determine
which gas will reach the end of the tube first.

Velocity is related to kinetic energy and mass: . Therefore, molecules with smaller mass have the
faster molecular speed. The molecule with the fastest speed will travel a fixed distance the quickest. To
determine which molecule arrives first, rank them from the largest molar mass to the smallest.
Estimate the molar masses: Ar molar mass = 40 g/mol, Ne molar mass = 20 g/mol, Kr molar mass = 84
g/mol, Xe molar mass = 131 g/mol. Ne will arrive first.
 Reasonable Answer Check: It makes sense, because the lightest weight things go faster, they will arrive
sooner.
27. Answer: SOCl2 < Cl2O < Cl2 < SO2
Strategy and Explanation: Given the formulas of molecules, put their gases in order of increasing average
molecular speed.
Kinetic energy is proportional to temperature. Assuming all of the samples are at the same temperature, their
average kinetic energies are the same. Kinetic energy is related to mass and velocity. E kin = mv2. Velocity

is related to kinetic energy and mass: Therefore, molecules with smaller mass have the faster
molecular speed. To rank the molecules with increasing speed, rank them from the largest molar mass to the
smallest.
Estimate the molar masses: SO2 molar mass = 64 g/mol, Cl 2 molar mass = 71 g/mol, SOCl 2 molar mass =
119 g/mol, Cl2O molar mass = 87 g/mol.
slowest speed: SOCl2 < Cl2O < Cl2 < SO2 :fastest speed
 Reasonable Answer Check: It makes sense that lightweight things go faster.
28. Answer: see table below; hydrogen
Strategy and Explanation: Given the formulas of molecules, put their gases in order of decreasing average
molecular speed. Predict which one of atmospheric gases might have enough speed to escape into space.
Adapt the method provided in the answers to Questions 26 and 27. To rank the molecules with decreasing
speed, rank them from the smallest molar mass to the largest. The fastest one is probably the one most likely
to escape into outer space.
Rank all the gases in Table 10.1 by increasing molar masses (estimates):
fastest Molar Mass Molar Mass
H2 2 Ar 40.
He 4 CO2 44
CH4 16 NO2 46
NH3 17 O3 48
Ne 20 SO2 64
CO 28.01 Kr 84
493 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

N2 28.02 Xe 131
O2 32 slowest
Of the molecules in this table, hydrogen is the fastest, and the most likely to escape.
 Reasonable Answer Check: It makes sense that lightweight things go faster.

Gas Behavior and the Ideal Gas Law (Section 10.4)

29. Answer: 4.2  10–5 mol
Strategy and Explanation: Given the volume of a sample of air at STP and the volume fraction of CO in
ppm, determine the moles of CO.
Use the volume fraction in terms of liters as a conversion factor to determine the liters of CO. Use the molar
volume of a gas at STP as a conversion factor to determine the moles of CO.

 Reasonable Answer Check: Air has a very small proportion of CO. This small sample of air has a very
small amount of CO.
30. Answer: 25.5 L
Strategy and Explanation: Given the mass, volume, temperature and pressure of a sample of gas, determine
the volume of a different mass of the gas at the same temperature and pressure).
Use Avogadro’s law to relate volume to the number of moles.

(P and T constant)

For any given substance, the number of moles is directly proportional to the mass. (because n = m/M, where
m is the mass and M is the molar mass). Therefore, there is a similar relationship between volume and mass:

(if the samples are made of the same substance.)

Solve for V2

 Reasonable Answer Check: With all the information given, it is possible to calculate the molar mass of the
gaseous substance from the first set of data, and then use that information to determine the new volume for
the second sample; however, this calculation takes a lot longer to complete:

@ STP
It makes sense that the sample with the larger mass of gas present has a larger volume.
31. Answer: 0.0946 mm Hg
Strategy and Explanation: Given the volume and pressure of a sample of gas in one flask and the volume of a
flask it is transferred to at the same temperature, determine the new pressure.
Use Boyle’s law to relate volume to pressure. P 1V1 = P2V2 (unchanging T and n)

 Reasonable Answer Check: The pressure should decrease when the volume increases. There is plenty of
information in this question to calculate the moles of the gas in this sample (0.139 mol) using the initial
condition data, then use the moles with the final condition data to determine the new pressure. The same
answer results, but the calculation takes a lot longer to complete.
 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 494

32. Answer: 62.5 mm Hg

Strategy and Explanation: Given the volume and pressure of a sample of gas in one flask and the volume of a
flask it is transferred to at the same temperature, determine the new pressure.
Use Boyle’s law to relate volume to pressure. P 1V1 = P2V2 (unchanging T and n)

 Reasonable Answer Check: The larger volume should have a smaller pressure.
33. Answer: 154 mm Hg
Strategy and Explanation: Given the volume and pressure of a sample of gas in one flask and the volume of a
flask it is transferred to at the same temperature, determine the new pressure.
Use Boyle’s law to relate volume to pressure. P 1V1 = P2V2 (unchanging T and n)

 Reasonable Answer Check: The smaller volume should have a larger pressure.
34. Answer: 2.1  102 mL
Strategy and Explanation: Use Boyle’s law: P1V1 = P2V2 (unchanging T and n).

(214 mL rounded to 1 sig. fig.)

35. Answer: 172 mm Hg

Strategy and Explanation: Use Boyle’s law: P1V1 = P2V2 (unchanging T and n).

36. Answer: 0.50 atm

Strategy and Explanation: Use Boyle’s law: P1V1 = P2V2 (unchanging T and n).

37. Answer: 26.5 mL

Strategy and Explanation: Given the original volume and temperature of a sample of gas in a syringe
(presumably at atmospheric pressure) and the new temperature of the sample, determine the new volume
(presumably still at atmospheric pressure).
Convert the temperatures to Kelvin. Use Charles’ law to relate volume to absolute temperature.

(P and n constant)

T1 = 20. °C + 273.15 = 293 K T 2 = 37 °C + 273.15 = 310. K

 Reasonable Answer Check: Gas at higher temperature should have a larger volume.
38. Answer: 4.0 L
Strategy and Explanation: Use Charles’ law to relate volume to absolute temperature, as described in the
solution to Question 37.
T1 = 23 °C + 273.15 = 296 K T 2 = –10. °C + 273.15 = 263 K
495 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

 Reasonable Answer Check: Gas at lower temperature should have a smaller volume.
39. Answer: – 96 °C
Strategy and Explanation: Use Charles’ law to relate volume to absolute temperature, as described in the
solution to Question 37. T1 = 80. °C + 273.15 = 353 K

177 K – 273.15 = – 96 °C
 Reasonable Answer Check: Gas at smaller volume should have a lower temperature.
40. Answer: 260 K
Strategy and Explanation: Use Charles’ law to relate volume to absolute temperature, as described in the
solution to Question 37. (Assume the T1 reading is ± 1 °C.) T1 = 20. °C + 273.15 = 293 K

 Reasonable Answer Check: A gas with a smaller volume should have a lower temperature. Charles’s law
tells us that the temperature of this sample will be very small with such a drastic change in the volume.
41. Answer: 4.00 atm
Strategy and Explanation: Given the original pressure and temperature of gas in a tire, the assumption that
volume is unchanged, and the new temperature, determine the new pressure exerted by the gas in the tire.
Convert the temperature to Kelvin. Use the combined gas law to relate pressure to absolute temperature.

(n constant)

At constant volume (V and n constant)

T1 = 15 °C + 273.15 = 288 K T2 = 35 °C + 273.15 = 308 K

 Reasonable Answer Check: A gas with a higher temperature should exert a higher pressure.
42. Answer: 2.61 atm
Strategy and Explanation: Use the combined gas law, as described in the solution to Question 41.
T1 = 40. °C + 273.15 = 313 K T 2 = –5.0 °C + 273.15 = 268 K

 Reasonable Answer Check: A gas with a lower temperature should exert a lower pressure.
43. Answer: 501 mL
Strategy and Explanation: Adapt the combined gas law, described in the solution to Question 41.
T1 = 22 °C + 273.15 = 295 K T 2 = 42 °C + 273.15 = 315 K
 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 496

 Reasonable Answer Check: The temperature fraction: is larger than one, consistent with

increasing the volume due to the increased temperature. The pressure fraction: is smaller than
one, consistent with decreasing the volume due to an increased pressure. Clearly these two effects counteract
each other, but this pressure change affects the volume more than the temperature change does.
44. Answer: 1.07  103 L
Strategy and Explanation: Adapt the combined gas law, described in the solution to Question 41.
T1 = 20. °C + 273.15 = 293 K T 2 = –33 °C + 273.15 = 240. K

 Reasonable Answer Check: The temperature fraction: is smaller than one, consistent with

decreasing the volume due to the decreased temperature. The pressure fraction: is larger than
one, consistent with increasing the volume due to a decreased pressure. Clearly these two effects counteract
each other, but the pressure change affects the volume slightly more than the temperature change does.
45. Answer: 0.507 atm
Strategy and Explanation: Given the mass, identity, temperature, and volume of a gas sample, determine the
pressure of the sample.

Use the ideal gas law: PV = nRT R = 0.08206

The units of R remind us to determine the moles of gas (using mass and molar mass), to convert the
temperature to Kelvin, and to convert the volume to liters.

T = 20. °C + 273.15 = 293 K

V=

 Reasonable Answer Check: The small fraction of a mole makes sense with the small mass. The units in
the pressure calculation cancel properly to give atm.
46. Answer: 0.193 atm
Strategy and Explanation: Follow the method described in the solution to Question 45.

T = 150. °C + 273.15 = 423 K

 Reasonable Answer Check: The small fraction of a mole makes sense with the small mass. The units in
the pressure calculation cancel properly to give atm.
47. Answer: Largest number in sample (d); smallest number in sample (c)
Strategy and Explanation: Given a set of gas samples, determine which has the largest number of molecules
and which has the smallest number of molecules.
497 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

Some of the samples are at STP, so use the molar volume of a gas at STP to determine the number of
molecules (in units of moles).
1 mol of any gas occupies 22.414 L.

In the other cases, use the ideal gas law as described in the solution to Question 45. Once all the moles are
calculated, identify which sample has the most moles and which sample has the least moles.
(a) 0.045 mol H2 at STP

(b) 0.045 mol N2 at STP

(c) T = 27 °C + 273.15 = 300. K P=

(d) T = 0. °C + 273.15 = 273 K P=

Of these samples, sample (d) has the most molecules and sample (c) has the smallest number of molecules.
 Reasonable Answer Check: To keep a 1.0-L gas sample at standard temperature and still have larger than
standard pressure suggests that there must be more molecules hitting the walls than a sample at STP. To have
a 1.0-L gas sample at higher than standard temperature and still stay at standard pressure suggests that there
must be fewer molecules hitting the walls harder, than a sample at STP.
48. Answer: 4.7  1011 O3 molecules
Strategy and Explanation: Given the volume of an air sample, the concentration of O 3 in that sample, the
temperature, and the pressure, determine the number of molecules of O 3 in the sample. (All of the molecules
in the sample could come in contact with the rubber eventually.)
Use the volume of the air sample and the concentration of O 3 to determine the volume of O3, then use the
ideal gas law as described in the solution to Question 45. Then use Avogadro’s number to find the number of
molecules from the moles.

T = 25 °C + 273.15 = 298 K

 Reasonable Answer Check: 470 billion ozone molecules can attack the rubber. This is a pretty small
fraction of the air molecules, but there are still plenty of molecules colliding with the rubber to cause the
damage.

Quantities of Gases in Chemical Reactions (Section 10.5)

49. Answer: 6.0 L H2
 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 498

Strategy and Explanation: Given the balanced chemical equation for a chemical reaction, the mass of one
reactant, and excess other reactant, determine the volume of the product produced at a specified pressure and
temperature.
Convert from grams to moles. Use the stoichiometric relationship from the balanced equation to determine
moles of product. Use the ideal gas law to determine the pressure of the product.

T = 22 °C + 273.15 = 295 K P=

 Reasonable Answer Check: All units cancel properly in the calculation of atmosphere. A quarter mole of
gas occupies a volume is a little larger than one quarter of the molar volume of a gas at STP, which make
sense since the sample’s temperature is larger than the STP temperature.
499 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

50. Answer: 3.7 L H2

Strategy and Explanation: Given the formulas of reactants and one product of a chemical reaction, the mass
of one reactant and excess other reactant, determine the volume of the product produced at a specified
pressure and temperature.
Balance the displacement equation for the reaction (if necessary, refer to Section 5.5). Convert from grams to
moles. Use the stoichiometric relationship from the balanced equation to determine moles of product. Use
the ideal gas law to determine the pressure of the product.
According to Table 5.5, Al is active enough to displace hydrogen gas from acid. Similar to the examples
given in Section 5.5, the equation needed here looks like this:
Al(s) + HCl(aq) AlCl3(aq) + H2(g) (unbalanced)
2 Al(s) + 6 HCl(aq) 2 AlCl3(aq) + 3 H2(g) (balanced)

T = 25 °C + 273.15 = 298 K

 Reasonable Answer Check: All units cancel properly in the calculation of atmosphere. A quarter mole of
gas occupies a volume is a little larger than one quarter of the molar volume of a gas at STP, which make
sense since the sample’s temperature is larger than the STP temperature.
51. Answer: 0.63 L CO2; approximately 15% of the typical volume of two loaves of bread
Strategy and Explanation: Given the mass of sucrose, the formula and the product of a reaction, determine
the maximum volume of CO2 produced at STP. Compare that volume with the typical volume of two loaves
of bread. Let’s use French bread.
Balance the equation. Determine the moles of sucrose from the molar mass, then use the given stoichiometric
relationships to determine the moles of CO 2 produced. Last, use the molar volume of a gas at STP to
determine the volume of CO2. Estimate the total volume of two loaves of French bread assuming they are
cylinders. Compare the two volumes.

= 0.63 L

CO2
Assume one loaf of French bread is a cylinder, 3.0 inches in diameter and 18 inches long.

r = 1.5 in
A= r2 = (1.5 in)2 = 7.1 in2
V = A = (7.1 in2)  (18 in) = 130 in3

130 in3
Two loaves would have twice this volume: 2  (2.1 L) = 4.2 L. The CO2 bubbles produced in the bread are
about 15% its volume.
 Reasonable Answer Check: Slicing open French bread we see that it has a vast “honeycomb” of bubble-
shaped spaces in it. It makes sense that approximately half the loaf’s volume can be associated with the CO 2
bubbles formed by the yeast when the bread was rising.
 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 500

52. Answer: 0.75 L O2

Strategy and Explanation: Given the description of a chemical reaction and the volume of one reactant at a
specified pressure and temperature, determine the volume of the other reactant at a specified pressure and
temperature that will cause complete reaction.
Balance the equation. Avogadro’s law allows us to interpret a balanced equation with gas reactants in terms
of gas volumes, as long as their temperatures and pressures are the same. Use the stoichiometry to relate liters
of H2(g) that react with liters of O2(g).
Balance the equation: O2(g) + 2 H2(g) 2 H2O (g)
One volume of oxygen gas reacts with two volumes of hydrogen gas to make two volumes of steam, since all
the volumes are measured at the same temperature and pressure.

 Reasonable Answer Check: Twice as many H2 molecules are needed compared to the number of O 2
molecules. So, it makes sense that the volume of O 2 is half the volume of H2.
53. Answer: 10.4 L O2; 10.4 L H2O
Strategy and Explanation: Given the balanced chemical equation for a chemical reaction and the volume of
one reactant at a specified pressure and temperature, determine the volume of the other reactant at a specified
pressure and temperature that will cause complete reaction, and the volume of one of the products at a
specified pressure and temperature that will be produced.
Avogadro’s law allows us to interpret a balanced equation with gas reactants and products in terms of gas
volumes, as long as their temperatures and pressures are the same. Use the stoichiometry to relate liters of
SiH4(g) that react with liters of O2(g) and liters of H2O(g).
The balanced equation tells us that one volume of SiH 4(g) reacts with two volumes of O2(g) to make two
volumes of H2O(g), since all the volumes are measured at the same temperature and pressure.

Notice: Multiplying a number by an exact whole number, n, is like adding that number to itself n times. 2 
(5.2) = 5.2 L + 5.2 L = 10.4 L, that is why we use the addition rule for assessing the significant figures, here.
 Reasonable Answer Check: Twice as many O2 molecules are needed compared to the number of SiH 4
molecules, forming twice as many H2O molecules. So, it makes sense that both the volume of O 2 and the
volume of H2O are twice the volume of SiH4.
54. Answer: 31 g H2
Strategy and Explanation: Given the balanced chemical equation for a chemical reaction and the volume of
one reactant at a specified pressure and temperature, determine the mass of one of the products produced.
Use the ideal gas law to determine the moles of the reactant. Use the stoichiometric relationship from the
balanced equation to determine moles of product. Then, convert from moles to grams.
T = 120 °C + 273.15 = 3.9102 K
501 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

 Reasonable Answer Check: The units all cancel properly in the calculation of moles of water. The moles
of water and hydrogen are equal, and the mass of hydrogen is twice its number of moles.
55. Answer: 21 mm Hg
Strategy and Explanation: Given the balanced chemical equation for a chemical reaction, the mass of one
reactant, and excess other reactant, determine the pressure of the product produced at a specified volume and
temperature.
Convert from grams to moles. Use the stoichiometric relationship from the balanced equation to determine
moles of product. Use the ideal gas law to determine the pressure of the product.

T = 30. °C + 273.15 = 303 K

 Reasonable Answer Check: The relative quantities of B 4H10 and H2O seem sensible. All units cancel
properly in the calculation of pressure. This is a relatively low pressure for water but the sample is also small.
56. Answer: 0.38 atm
Strategy and Explanation: Given the mass of a metallic element and the identity of the gas-phase molecule it
is converted to, determine the pressure of the molecular gas at a specified volume and temperature.
Convert from grams to moles. Use the stoichiometric relationship of the molecular formula to determine
moles of molecules. Use the ideal gas law to determine the pressure of the gas.

 Reasonable Answer Check: The relative quantities of U and UF 6 seem sensible. All units cancel properly
in the calculation of atmospheres. This is a relatively low pressure, but the container is fairly large.
57. Answer: 10.0 L Br2
Strategy and Explanation: Given the volume, temperature and pressure of the gaseous reactant and the mass
of the solid ionic reactant, determine the volume of the gaseous product at the same temperature and pressure.
Balance the displacement equation using information from Section 5.5. Find the limiting reaction. The ideal
gas law can be used to find the moles of F2 produced. Use molar mass to find the moles of the solid. The
stoichiometry is then used to find the moles of gaseous product. Use the ideal gas law to find the volume of
gaseous product.
Balance the displacement equation:
F2(g) + CaBr2(s) Br2 (g) + CaF2(s)
Calculate the moles of Br2 formed, if all the F2 reacts:
T = 100. °C + 273.15 = 373 K
 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 502

Calculate the moles of Br2 formed, if all the CaBr2 reacts:

The limiting reactant is F2 and 0.327 mol Br2 formed.

 Reasonable Answer Check: Because volume of the Br2 product sample is measured at the same
temperature and pressure as the initial F2sample, it makes sense that the volume is the same as the initial
volume of F2.
58. Answer: 88 g/mol
Strategy and Explanation: Given the balanced chemical equation for a chemical reaction, the mass of the
solid ionic reactant, the formula of the ionic compound and the periodic group that its metal is found in, the
pressure of a gas-phase product with a specified volume and temperature, determine the molar mass of the
reactant.
The formula of the ionic compound, Mx(CO3)y, can be used to determine the values of x and y, since M is
from Group 2A and the anion carbonate has a known charge. The ideal gas law can be used to find the moles
of CO2 produced. The stoichiometry is then used to find the moles of solid that reacted. Divide the mass by
the moles for the molar mass.
Group 2A metals have 2+ charges and carbonate ion has a 2– charge:
x M2+ + y CO32– Mx(CO3)y
From this equation, we can see that x = y = 1, and the heating of the metal oxide reaction can be simplified to
the following equation:
MCO3(s) MO(s) + CO2(g)
T = 25 °C + 273.15 = 298 K

The given mass (0.158 g) contains 1.07  10–3 mol MCO3

Molar Mass =

 Reasonable Answer Check: If this metal M is really a Group 2A element, it’s molar mass should be similar
to one of them. We can subtract the molar mass of one C atom and three O atoms from the molar mass of the
solid and get the molar mass of M:
148 g/mol – 12 g/mol – 3  (16 g/mol) = 88 g/mol M
This is close to that of Sr (molar mass = 87.62 g/mol), a group 2A metal.
503 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

59. Answer: 1.44 g Ni(CO)4

Strategy and Explanation: Given the description of a chemical reaction and the volume of one reactant at a
specified pressure and temperature, determine the mass of the product that can be produced.
Balance the equation. Use the ideal gas law to determine the moles of the reactant. Use the stoichiometric
relationship from the balanced equation to determine moles of product. Then, convert from moles to grams.
Ni(s) + 4 CO(g) Ni(CO)4

T = 25.0 °C + 273.15 = 298.2 K

 Reasonable Answer Check: The units all cancel properly in the calculation of moles of Ni(CO) 4. A
reasonable mass of product is formed considering the molar quantities and the molar mass.
60. Answer: (a) 2 C8H18() + 25 O2(g) 16 CO2(g) + 18 H2O(g) (b) 1.4  103 L CO2
Strategy and Explanation:
(a) The balanced combustion equation is:
2 C8H18() + 25 O2(g) 16 CO2(g) + 18 H2O(g)
(b) Given the length in miles of a trip, the fuel efficiency of a car, the density of the liquid fuel, and the
temperature and pressure, determine the volume of a gas-phase product produced during the trip.
Use the miles, the fuel efficiency, volume conversions, the density, and the stoichiometry to find the
moles of the product. Use the ideal gas law to determine the volume of the product.

= 1.2  103 cm3

= 58 mol CO2

T = 25 °C + 273.15 = 298 K

 Reasonable Answer Check: This is the same question as Chapter 12 Question 88 and produces the
same result. This is a large volume of CO 2! However, it is not an unreasonable quantity considering how
many gallons of gasoline are used and how much CO 2 is generated from each octane molecule.
Comparing the results to the answer in Question 61, less CO 2 is generated by methanol as a fuel than
octane.
61. Answer: (a) 2 CH3OH() + 3 O2(g) 2 CO2(g) + 4 H2O(g) (b) 1.1  103 L CO2
Strategy and Explanation:
(a) The balanced equation: 2 CH3OH() + 3 O2(g) 2 CO2(g) + 4 H2O(g)
(b) Given the length in miles of a trip, the fuel efficiency of a car, the density of the liquid fuel, and the
temperature and pressure, determine the volume of a gas-phase product produced during the trip.
Use the miles, the fuel efficiency, volume conversions, the density, and the stoichiometry to find the
moles of the product. Use the ideal gas law to determine the volume of the product.
 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 504

= 47 mol CO2

T = 25 °C + 273.15 = 298 K

 Reasonable Answer Check: This is the same question as Chapter 12 Question 89 and produces the same
result. This is a large volume of CO2! However, it is not an unreasonable quantity considering how many
gallons of methanol are used and how much CO 2 is generated from each methanol molecule. Comparing to
the answer in Question 60, less CO2 is generated by methanol as a fuel than octane.
62. Answer: 0.0153 g H2
Strategy and Explanation: Given the balanced equation for a reaction, and the volume, temperature and
pressure of a gas collected over water, determine the mass of product formed.
Dalton’s law of partial pressures and collecting a gas over water is described in Section 10.7. Use Dalton’s
law to calculate the pressure of the product gas. Use the idea gas law to determine the moles of product.
Convert the moles to grams to get the mass. The vapor pressure of water at 27 °C is 26.74 torr.
Ptot = PO + pH
2 2O
PO = Ptot – pH = (733 torr) – (26.74 torr) = 706 torr
2 2O

T = 27 °C + 273.15 = 300. K

 Reasonable Answer Check: The units cancel properly and the size of the resulting mass seems right.

Gas Density and Molar Mass (Section 10.6)

63. Answer: 130. g/mol
Strategy and Explanation: Given the density of a gas at STP, determine the molar mass of the gas.

Density is related to mass and volume: . Because we know the molar volume of a gas at STP
(22.414 liters per mol), we can use this equation to get the molar mass (M = grams per mole).

64. Answer: 50 °C
505 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

Strategy and Explanation: Given the identity of a gaseous compound, the mass of the compound, the volume,
and the pressure, determine the temperature of the gas.
Use the formula and the molar mass to get moles, then use the ideal gas law to get volume.

(326 K, rounded to 2 sig. figs.)

326 K – 273.15 = 50 °C (53 K, rounded to the tens place)

 Reasonable Answer Check: T is high enough for SiH4 to be a gas. (–112 °C = the boiling point).
65. Answer: 2.7  103 mL
Strategy and Explanation: Given the mass of a gas, the identity of the gas, its temperature, and its pressure,
determine the volume occupied by the gas.
Convert from grams to moles. Use the ideal gas law to determine the volume of the gas.

T = 27 °C + 273.15 = 300. K

 Reasonable Answer Check: The molar volume of a gas under these conditions is going to be similar to that
at STP (22.4 L/mol), because T is slightly higher than standard T and P is slightly lower than standard P.
When using one tenth of a mole of CO2, one would expect approximately one tenth of the molar volume,
roughly 2.2 liters. This answer seems right, though it is unclear why it needed to be given in milliliters.
66. Answer: 0.90 g He
Strategy and Explanation: Given the identity of a gas and its volume, pressure, and temperature, determine
the mass of the gas.
Use the ideal gas law to determine moles of the gas. Then, convert from moles to grams.
T = 25 °C + 273.15 = 298 K

Notice: It is acceptable to use the equation derived in Section 10.6 to streamline your approach to answering
this question.
 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 506

This can save time, but don't lose sight of what you’re doing. If you find yourself looking through the book
for an equation with all the right variables, that is a sign that you are losing sight of what you’re doing.
67. Answer: PHe is 7.000 times greater than P N
2
Strategy and Explanation: Given the formulas of the compounds composing two gas samples with equal
density, volume and temperature, determine the relationship between the pressures of the two gas samples.
We have insufficient information to take a straightforward approach to this task, so find a way to relate
pressure to molar mass when the density, volume and temperature are equal: Density is mass per unit
volume. Density can be calculated using the molar mass (M, the grams per mole, or m/n) and the molar
volume (the volume per mole, or V/n).

so,

Rearranging the ideal gas law:

Substituting the first equation into the second, gives: or PM = dRT

Therefore, at constant d and T: or

The pressure of helium is seven times greater than the pressure of nitrogen.
 Reasonable Answer Check: A much larger number of atoms would need to be in the helium sample for it
to have the same density as the nitrogen sample. Because pressure is proportional to number of particles, it
makes sense that the pressure in the helium sample is much larger than in the nitrogen sample.
68. Answer: C6H6
Strategy and Explanation: Given the partial formula for a hydrocarbon, the percentage of carbon, and the
volume, pressure, and temperature of a given mass of the gaseous compound, determine the molecular
formula of the gas.
Use the methods described in Section 3.10 to determine the empirical formula. Use the ideal gas law to
determine the moles of gas in the sample. Divide the grams of gas in the sample by the calculated moles of
gas in the sample to get the molar mass.
Select a convenient large sample size: 100.00 g of C xHy, such that the sample contains 92.26 grams of
carbon and the rest is hydrogen:
100.00 g CxHy – 92.26 g C = 7.74 g H
Convert each element mass to moles:
92.29 g C 7.74 g H
Set up a mole ratio and simplify:
7.684 mol C : 7.68 mol H
1C:1H
The empirical formula is CH and the molecular formula is (CH) n. So, n = x = y
The molar mass of the empirical formula = 13.02 g/mol
507 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

Find the molecule’s molar mass:

T = 23 °C + 273.15 = 296 K

Molar Mass =

Get the value of n by taking a ratio of the molecule’s molar mass and the empirical formula’s molar mass:

n=

The molecular formula is C6H6.

 Reasonable Answer Check: The mole ratios and molar mass ratios are very close to integer relationships
and give the formula for benzene, a common aromatic hydrocarbon compound.
69. Answer: 3.7  10–4 g/L
Strategy and Explanation: Given the molar mass of a gas and its pressure and temperature, determine the
density of the gas.
We have insufficient information to take a straightforward approach to this task, so let’s look at what we
know: Density is mass per unit volume. If we can calculate the molar volume (the volume per mole) and
divide that into the molar mass (M, the grams per mole), we can get the density. Use the ideal gas law to
determine the molar volume of the gas.

d=

T = –23 °C + 273.15 = 250. K

 Reasonable Answer Check: The low density makes sense at the very low pressure.
70. Answer: 61.7 g/mol
Strategy and Explanation: Given the density of a gas and its pressure and temperature, determine the molar
mass of the gas.
We have insufficient information to take a straightforward approach to this task, so let’s look at what we
know: Density is mass per unit volume, so density times volume is mass. If we can calculate the molar
volume (the volume per mole) and multiply it by the density, we can get the molar mass (M = grams per
mole). Use the ideal gas law to determine the molar volume of the gas.

T = 23.0 °C + 273.15 = 296.2 K

 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 508

 Reasonable Answer Check: The molar mass is in the range of typical small gaseous molecules.

Partial Pressures of Gases (Section 10.7)

71. Answer: 4.51 atm total
Strategy and Explanation: Given the masses of gases in a mixture at a specified volume and temperature,
determine the total pressure.
Convert from grams to moles. Use the ideal gas law to determine the partial pressure of each gas. Use
Dalton’s law of partial pressures to determine the total pressure. Dalton’s law and its applications are
described in Section 10.7, page 446-7. Dalton’s law of partial pressures states that the total pressure (P tot)
exerted by a mixture of gases is the sum of their partial pressures (P 1, P2, P3, etc.), if the volume (V) and
temperature (T) are constant.
Ptot = P1 + P2 + P3 + ... (V and T constant)

T = 25 °C + 273.15 = 298 K

Using Dalton’s law: Ptot = PH + PN = 3.64 atm H2 + 0.873 atm N2= 4.51 atm total
2 2
 Reasonable Answer Check: The relative pressure of H2 and N2 makes sense from the relative number of
moles. All un-needed units cancel properly in the calculation of atmosphere.
72. Answer: 1.28 atm
Strategy and Explanation: Given equimolar quantities of three gases and the total pressure of the mixture at
fixed temperature and volume, determine the partial pressure of one of the three gas.
Section 10.7 shows that, as a consequence of Dalton’s law and the ideal gas law, the partial pressure of an
individual gas, Pi is related to the total pressure of a mixture according to this equation:

Pi= XiPtot, where Xi is the mole fraction:

Because three gases are present in equimolar quantities, they must each have a mole fraction of exactly one
third.
509 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

 Reasonable Answer Check: Because we are given the volume and temperature, it is possible to spend the
time calculating the total moles of gas present (0.118 mol), but we then take one third of that number to get
the moles of hydrogen (0.0393 mol). However calculating the mole fraction from X H2= nH2/ntot = 0.333,
produces as close to one third and is possible with three significant figures.
73. Answer: (a) 154 mm Hg (b) XN =0.777, XO = 0.208, XAr = 0.0093, XCO = 0.0003, XH = 0.0053
2 2 2 2O
(c) 77.7% N2, 20.8% O2, 0.93% Ar, 0.03% CO2, 0.54% H2O; slight difference, since this sample is wet
Strategy and Explanation: Given the partial pressure of several gases in a sample of the atmosphere, and the
total pressure of the sample, determine the partial pressure of O 2, the mole fraction of each gas, and the
percent by volume. Compare the percentages to Table 10.1.
Dalton’s law and its applications are described in Section 10.7, page 456-7. Dalton’s law of partial pressures
states that the total pressure (P) exerted by a mixture of gases is the sum of their partial pressures (P 1, P2, P3,
etc.), if the volume (V) and temperature (T) are constant.
Ptot = P1 + P2 +P3 + ... (V and T constant)
Because Pi = XiPtot, we can use the total pressure and the partial pressure of a component to determine its
mole fraction:

According to Avogadro’s law, moles and gas volumes are proportional, so the mole fraction is equal to the
volume fraction. To get percent, multiply the volume fraction by 100%.
(a) Ptot = PN + PO + PAr + PCO + PH
2 2 2 2O
PO = Ptot – PN – PAr – PCO – PH
2 2 2 2O
= (740. mm Hg) – (575 mm Hg) – (6.9 mm Hg) – (0.2 mm Hg) – (4.0 mm Hg) = 154 mm Hg

(b)

(c) % N2 = XN  100% = 0.777  100% = 77.7% N2

2
% O2 = XO  100% = 0.208  100% = 20.8% O2
2
% Ar = XAr  100% = 0.0093  100% = 0.93% Ar
% CO2 = XCO  100% = 0.0003  100% = 0.03% CO2
2
% H2O = XH  100% = 0.0054  100% = 0.54% H2O
2O
The Table 10.1 figures are slightly different. This sample is wet, whereas the proportions given in Table
10.1 are for dry air.
 Reasonable Answer Check: The percentages are very close to those provided in the table, and the
variations are explainable. The sum of the mole fractions is 1, and the sum of the percentages is 100%.
74. Answer: 0.0946 mm Hg
Strategy and Explanation: Given the pressure of a gas at a specified volume and temperature, determine the
pressure of the molecular gas with a new specified volume and temperature.
Temperature remains unchanged, so use Boyle’s law to determine the pressure of the gas.
 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 510

 Reasonable Answer Check: The pressure should go down, since the volume is increased.
75. Answer: (a) 1.98 atm (b) P O = 0.438 atm, PN = 0.182 atm, PAr = 1.36 atm
2 2
Strategy and Explanation: Given three containers of gases, with known volume and pressure, determine the
total pressure and partial pressures of the gases when the three containers are opened to each other.
Use Boyle’s law to determine how the pressure of each gas changes with the increase in total volume and then
use Dalton’s law to determine the total pressures after mixing. Use the definition of partial pressure to show
that the pressures calculated are the partial pressure.
The gas in one chamber is allowed to diffuse into all three chambers, so its final volume increases to the total
of the three volumes: Vtot = 3.00 L + 2.00 + 5.00 L = 10.00 L

Boyle’s law: For O2,

For N2, For Ar,

(a) Pf, tot = Pf,O + Pf,N + Pf,Ar = 0.438 atm + 0.182 atm + 1.36 atm = 1.98 atm
2 2
(b) Partial pressure is the pressure each gas would cause if it were alone in the container.
, ,
 Reasonable Answer Check: All the individual final pressures are less than the initial pressures, which
makes sense because the volume is larger. The total pressure is a weighted average of the three pressures, and
is influenced most by the gas present in largest quantity (Ar).
76. Answer: (a) 29 g/mol (b) XN = 0.8; XO = 0.2
2 2
Strategy and Explanation: Given the density of a gas and its pressure and temperature, determine the molar
mass of the gas.
Density (d) is mass (m) per unit volume (V), so dV = m. Therefore, if we calculate the molar volume (the
volume per mole) and multiply it by the density, we can get the molar mass (M = grams per mole). Use the
ideal gas law to determine the molar volume of the gas.

The sum of the molar masses of each component weighted by its mole fraction must be equal to the average
molar mass. The sum of the mole fractions must be equal to 1.
(a) T = –63 °C + 273.15 = 210. K
511 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

(b) Use the molar mass calculated in (c), The molar mass of N 2 is 28.0 g/mol. Molar mass of O2 is 32.0
g/mol. Assuming that air is only N2 and O2, setting the mole fraction of N2 equal to X, means that the
mole fraction of O2 is 1 – X.
X(28.0 g/mol) + (1 – X)(32.0 g/mol) = 29 g/mol
– 4.0 X + 32.0 = 29
– 4.0 X = 3
X = 0.8 = XN 1 – X = 0.2 = XO
2 2
 Reasonable Answer Check: The small number of significant figures makes it difficult to compare these
numbers in detail. They are approximately the same as described in Table 10.1.
77. Answer: Membrane irritation: 1  10–4 atm; Fatal narcosis: 0.02 atm
Strategy and Explanation: Given two concentrations of a gas as pressure ratios, determine the partial pressure
of the gas at a given temperature and pressure.
Use the ppm pressure ratio values to get the partial pressure:
Pi = (pressure ratio)  Ptot
Ptot = 1 atm at STP

Membrane irritation:

Fatal narcosis:

 Reasonable Answer Check: The larger pressure ratio has a larger partial pressure.
78. Answer: XH = 0.033
2O
Strategy and Explanation: Given partial pressure of a gas in a sample, determine its mole fraction.
Use Pi = XiPtot, to determine its the mole fraction.
Assume that the Ptot = 760 mm Hg, standard pressure.

The mole fraction of water is not given in Table 10.1, because the air described in that table is dry
(i.e., XH O = 0, exactly). This air is humid air. It has significantly more water in it.
2
 Reasonable Answer Check: The partial pressure is small compared to the total pressure, so the small mole
fraction makes sense.
79. Answer: XH = 0.0041; PH = 3.1 mm Hg; the mean partial pressure includes humid and dry air,
2O 2O
summer and winter, worldwide
Strategy and Explanation: Given the mean fraction by weight of water in the atmosphere and the molar mass
of “air,” determine the mean mole fraction of water in the atmosphere.
The mean fraction by weight describes the average number of grams of water per gram of air. Convert grams
to moles in both cases, to get mole fraction. Use P i = XiPtot, to get its partial pressure.
The molar mass of air is given at 29.2 g/mol. The molar mass of water is 18.0152 g/mol.

= 0.0041
 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 512

Assume that the Ptot = 760 mm Hg, standard pressure.

PH = XH OPtot = (0.0041)  (760 mm Hg) = 3.1 mm Hg
2O 2
This number represents the mean partial pressure, both humid and dry air, summer and winter, worldwide
is included in this average.
 Reasonable Answer Check: The mole fraction is small, meaning the partial pressure is small compared to
the total pressure.
80. Answer: 74.7%
Strategy and Explanation: Given the balanced equation for a reaction, the mass of a reactant, the volume,
temperature and pressure of a product collected over water, and the vapor pressure of water at that same
temperature, determine the percent yield of the reaction.
Calculate the theoretical yield from the mass of reactant. Use Dalton’s law to calculate the pressure of the
product gas. Use the idea gas law to determine the moles of product. Convert the moles to grams to get
actual yield. Divide the actual yield by the theoretical yield and multiply by 100% to get percent yield.
1 mole CaC2 produces 1 mol C2H2.

Ptot = PC + PH
2H2 2O
PC = Ptot – PH = (735.2 mm Hg) – (23.8 mm Hg) = 711.4 mm Hg
2H2 2O

T = 25.0 °C + 273.15 = 298.2 K

 Reasonable Answer Check: The percent yield is a realistic size for collection of a gas.
81. Answer: 0.588 g O2
Strategy and Explanation: Given the balanced equation for a reaction, and the volume, temperature and
pressure of a gas collected over water, determine the mass of product formed.
Use Table 10.4 and Dalton’s law to calculate the pressure of the product gas. Use the idea gas law to
determine the moles of product. Convert the moles to grams to get the mass.
Table 10.4 gives the vapor pressure of water at 23 °C to be 21.1 mm Hg.
Ptot = PO + PH
2 2O
PO = Ptot – PH = (750 mm Hg) – (21.1 mm Hg) = 7.3102 mm Hg
2 2O

T = 23 °C + 273.15 = 296 K
513 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere

The Behavior of Real Gases (Section 10.8)

82. Answer: 18 mL H2O(); 22.4 L H2O(g); No we cannot achieve a pressure of 1 atm at this temperature,
because the vapor pressure of water at 0 °C to be 4.6 mm Hg, at pressures higher than this, the water
would liquefy.
Strategy and Explanation: Use standard conversion factors:

liquid

1 mol H2O at STP occupies 22.4 L.

Table 10.4 gives the vapor pressure of water at 0 °C to be 4.6 mm Hg. At pressures higher than this, water
would liquefy. We cannot achieve 1 atm pressure of water vapor at this low temperature, so we cannot
achieve the standard state condition for water vapor.
83. Answer/Explanation: The non-ideal behavior of real gases is discussed in Section 10.8. As external pressure
increases, the gas volume decreases, the molecules are squeezed closer together, and the attractions among
the molecules get stronger. Figure 10.16 shows that a gas molecule strikes the walls of the container with less
force due to the attractive forces between it and its neighbors. This makes the mathematical product PV
smaller than the mathematical product nRT.
84. Answer/Explanation: The behavior of real gases is discussed in Section 10.8. At low temperatures, the
molecules are moving relatively slowly; however, when the pressure is very low, they are still quite far apart.
As external pressures increases, the gas volume decreases, the slow molecules are squeezed closer together,
and the attractions among the molecules get stronger. Figure 10.17 shows that a gas molecule strikes the
walls of the container with less force due to the attractive forces between it and its neighbors. This makes the
mathematical product PV smaller than the mathematical product nRT.
85. Answer: 32.0 mL He, 16.8 mL Ne, 28.5 mL Ar, 34.6 mL Kr, 44.5 mL Xe; liquids comples of larger atoms
occupy more volume in the liquid state; As gases, each would occupy 22.4 L; Xe will likely show the
largest deviation from ideality.
 Chapter 10: Gases and the Atmosphere 514

Strategy and Explanation: Calculate the volume of exactly one mole, using molar mass and density.

liquid

liquid

liquid

liquid

liquid

The liquids composed of larger atoms occupy more volume in the liquid state.
1 mol of each of these gases at STP occupies 22.4 L.
The noble gas with the largest atom size (Xe) and a boiling point which is the closest to room temperature is
most likely to show the largest deviation from ideality at room temperature.
86. Answer: N2

Strategy and Explanation: Table 10.5 in Section 10.8 gives the values the van der Waals constants, a and b.
The a constant is related to the pressure correction. The smaller the value of a, the closer to ideal the gas is.
aN = 1.39 aCO = 3.59
2 2

N2 is more like an ideal gas at high pressures.

87. Answer: (a) 93 atm (b) 64 atm

Strategy and Explanation:
(a) T = 50 °C + 273.15 = 3.2102 K

(b) Solve the van der Waals equation for P:

Ozone and Ozone Depletion (Section 10.9)

88. Answer: (a) • CF3 + • Cl (b) ClO • (c) •Cl + O2

Strategy and Explanation: The equations for these reactions can be found in Section 10.9.

(a) CF3Cl • CF3 + • Cl

(b) • Cl + •O• ClO •

(c) ClO • + • O • • Cl + O2