The question reads, "A spaceship is found to have a tiny leak that allows the effusion of air into space. Air in the spaceship is a mixture of nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), argon (Ar), and trace amounts of other gases. Predict how the percentages of the gases in the air will change over time."

Question

How can I predict how percentages of gases in the air will change over time? I assume it has to do with diffusion, but I'm not sure how to find exact percentages.

Answer 1

I don't think the question is asking for a number; rather, I think the question just wants to know in what manner the mixture will change. So make a table of the elements you know are there along with their atomic/molecular masses. You know the higher molar masses/atomic masses will effuse slower and the lighter elements/moplecules will leak faster.N2 = 28
O2 = 32
Ar = about 40
CO2 = 44
He = 4
etc. Eventually, the mixture will become more concentrated in CO2 andc Ar and less concentrated in He, H2, etc.