A mixture of neon and argon gases is used in some neon lamps. If the mixture exerts a total pressure of 2.39 atm and the partial pressure of the neon alone is 1.84 atm, what is the partial pressure of the argon?

4.40 atm

4.23 atm

0.55 atm

1.30 atm

1 answer

To find the partial pressure of argon in the mixture, we can use Dalton's law of partial pressures, which states that the total pressure of a gas mixture is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of the individual gases.

The formula is: \[ P_{\text{total}} = P_{\text{Ne}} + P_{\text{Ar}} \]

Where:

  • \( P_{\text{total}} \) = total pressure of the mixture
  • \( P_{\text{Ne}} \) = partial pressure of neon
  • \( P_{\text{Ar}} \) = partial pressure of argon

We know:

  • \( P_{\text{total}} = 2.39 , \text{atm} \)
  • \( P_{\text{Ne}} = 1.84 , \text{atm} \)

We can rearrange the equation to solve for the partial pressure of argon: \[ P_{\text{Ar}} = P_{\text{total}} - P_{\text{Ne}} \] Substituting the known values: \[ P_{\text{Ar}} = 2.39 , \text{atm} - 1.84 , \text{atm} \] \[ P_{\text{Ar}} = 0.55 , \text{atm} \]

So, the partial pressure of argon is 0.55 atm.