Chapter 1, Problem 1.30NP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The proportion of CO to ${\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$ which is fatal needs to be determined, if the partial pressure of oxygen in air at sea level is 0.20 atm.

Concept Introduction: The partial pressure of any component in the mixture can be calculated as follows:

  $P_A=X_A{P}_{\text{total}}$

Here, $P_A$ is partial pressure of A, $X_A$ is mole fraction of A and $P_{\text{total}}$ is total pressure of the mixture.

Mole fraction of any component in the mixture can be calculated by taking ratio of the number of moles that component to the total number of moles in the mixture.

  $X_A=\frac{n_{\text{A}}}{n_{\text{total}}}$

Here, $n_{\text{A}}$ is number of moles of component A and $n_{\text{total}}$ is total number of moles of mixture.