Atmospheric pressure on the surface of mars is about 6.0mmHg. the partial pressure of carbon dioxide(CO2) is 5.7mmHg. what percent of the Martian atmosphere is CO2?

1 Answer
Ernest Z.
Feb 21, 2018

The Martian atmosphere is #"95 % CO"_2#.

Explanation:

Dalton's law of partial pressures states that in a mixture of gases, the total pressure is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of the individual gases.

In other words, the partial pressure of each gas is equal to its percentage in the mixture.

#"% CO"_2 = p_text(CO₂)/p_text(total) × 100 %#

#"% CO"_2 = (5.7 color(red)(cancel(color(black)("mmHg"))))/(6.0 color(red)(cancel(color(black)("mmHg")))) × 100 % = 95 %#

The Martian atmosphere is #"95 % CO"_2#.

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