If air was at STP and butane was released, would the butance sink or woulf ir rise to the ceiling? I know that the density of air at STP is 1.292g/L. How would I go about figuring this out?
3 answers
You can tell from the chemical formula which gas is lighter. The average molecular weight of air (N2 and O2) is 29. The molecular weight of butane (C4H10) is 58. At the same temperature and pressure, the molecular number desnity of air and butane is the same, but butane weighs twice as much.
Thanks
This of course is why in travel trailers and RV units the gas detectors are along the floor of the unit.