A tank contains #N_2# at 1.0 atm and #O_2# at 2.0 atm. Helium is added to this tank until the total pressure is 6.0 atm. What is the partial pressure of the helium?

1 Answer
May 31, 2016

#p_(He)# #=# #3.0*atm#

Explanation:

In a gaseous mixture, the partial pressure exerted by a gas is the same if that gas alone had occupied the container. The total pressure is the sum of the partial pressure.

We know that the total pressure is #6.0*atm#; i.e. #6.0*atm# #=# #p_(N_2)+p_(O_2)+p_(He)#.

Since we have been given the other partial pressures, calculation of #p_(He)# is trivial.