ChE102 Chemistry for Engineers - Tutorial 7

Solve the following problems either individually or in small groups (3 students maximum). Every
person must show TA solutions to receive a grade. Ask the TA for help if you need assistance
solving the problems.

Problem 1

Estimate the volume (in L) of pure methane gas (at STP) that will dissolve in 1.0 L of pure water
(density = 0.998 g·cm–3) when the methane partial pressure is 1340 kPa.

Data: The Henry’s Law constant for methane in water is 3.46 × 107 torr.

STP is 1 bar and 0 °C

Solution

First calculate the mole fraction of methane in solution using Henry’s Law: 𝑃𝑖 = 𝑘𝑥𝑖
1340 kPa 760 torr mol methane
𝑥𝑖 = 3.46×107 torr × 101.325 kPa = 2.896 × 10−4 mol solution

Calculate the amount of methane in solution. Since the mole fraction is much less than one assume
that the change in volume when methane dissolves in 1.0 L water is negligible.
1000 cm3 solution 0.998 g solution 1 mol solution mol methane
1 L solution × × × 18.01528 g solution × 2.90 × 10−4
1 L solution 1 cm3 mol solution

= 0.01604 mol methane

Use the ideal gas law to determine the volume of methane gas, measured at STP.
L atm
𝑛𝑅𝑇 (0.01604 mol)(0.08206 )(273.15 K)
mol K
𝑉= = 1 atm = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟔 𝐋
𝑃 1 bar×
1.01325 bar
Problem 2

Four aqueous solutions of acetone, CH3COCH3, are prepared at different concentrations at 25 °C:

(a) 0.100% CH3COCH3 by mass

(b) 0.100 M CH3COCH3

(c) 0.100 mol CH3COCH3/kg H2O

(d) 𝑥CH3COCH3 = 0.100

Which of these solutions would have the highest partial pressure of water at 25 °C in the
equilibrium vapour above the solutions?
Data: Assume that the density of all solutions is approximately equal to the density of water,
1.00 g/mL.

Solution
From Raoult’s law: 𝑃𝑖 = 𝑥𝑖 𝑃°𝑖 , therefore, the highest mole fraction of water (the most dilute
solution of acetone) will result in the highest equilibrium vapour pressure. In order to compare
the concentrations, we need each concentration to be given in the same units. The calculations
below calculate the molarity of each solution.
0.100 g acetone 1 mol acetone 1.00 g solution 1000 mL solution
(a) × 58.08004 g acetone × × = 0.0172 M
100 g solution 1 mL solution 1 L solution

(b) 0.100 M

(c) The concentration will be very close to 0.100 M.

Assume a basis of 1 kg = 1000 g H2O, then the mass of acetone is:

58.08004 g acetone
0.100 mol acetone × = 5.808004 g acetone
1 mol acetone

The mass of the solution is 1005.8 g solution. The concentration in mol/L is:
0.100 mol acetone 1g 1000 mL
× 1 mL × = 0.099 M
1005.8 g solution 1L

(d) Assume a basis of 1 mol solution

1 mol solution = 0.100 mol acetone + 0.900 mol H2O

58.08004 g acetone 18.01528 g H2 O
𝑚solution = 0.100 mol acetone × + 0.900 mol H2 O × = 22.02 g
1 mol acetone 1 mol H2 O

1 mL 1L
𝑉solution = 22.02 g × 1.00 g × 1000 mL = 0.02202 L
 0.100 mol acetone
concentration = = 4.5 M
0.02202 L

Solution (a) is the most dilute solution and will therefore have the highest equilibrium vapour
pressure.

Problem 3

Styrene, used in the manufacture of polystyrene, is made by the extraction of hydrogen atoms
from ethylbenzene. The product obtained contains 38% of styrene (C8H8) and 62% of
ethylbenzene (C8H10), by mass. The mixture is separated by fractional distillation at 90 °C.
Determine the composition of the vapour in equilibrium with this mixture at 90 °C.
Data: 𝑃vap C8H8 = 134 mmHg and 𝑃vap C8H10 = 182 mmHg at 90 °C.

Solution
In order to use Raoult’s law we first need to determine the mole fraction of each component in the
solution.

Basis: 100 g solution = 38 g C8H8 + 62 g C8H10

1 mol C H
38 g C8 H8 × 104.151528g C8 H = 0.3649 mol C8 H8
8 8

1 mol C H
62 g C8 H10 × 106.1674 g8 C10H = 0.5840 mol C8 H10
8 10

0.3649
𝑥C8H8 = 0.3649+0.5840 = 0.3846 𝑥C8H10 = 1 − 𝑥C8H8 = 0.6154

Now use Raoult’s law to determine the partial pressure of each component and the mole fraction
in the vapour phase.
𝑃C8H8 = 𝑥C8H8 𝑃vap C8H8 𝑃C8H10 = 𝑥C8H10 𝑃vap C8H10

𝑃C8H8 = (0.3846)(134 mmHg) = 51.5 mmHg 𝑃C8H10 = (0.6154)(182 mmHg) = 112 mmHg
𝟓𝟏.𝟓
𝒚𝐂𝟖 𝐇𝟖 = 𝟓𝟏.𝟓+𝟏𝟏𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟏 𝒚𝐂𝟖 𝐇𝟏𝟎 = 𝟏 − 𝒚𝐂𝟖 𝐇𝟖 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟗
Problem 4
A mixture of benzene and toluene is prepared at 25 °C. The total pressure above the mixture of
liquids is 67.8 mmHg. What is the mole fraction of benzene in the liquid phase?
𝑣𝑎𝑝 𝑣𝑎𝑝
Data: at 25 °C, 𝑃toluene = 28.4 mmHg 𝑃benzene = 94.1 mmHg

Solution
67.8 mmHg = Pbenzene + Ptoluene
𝑣𝑎𝑝 𝑣𝑎𝑝
67.8 = 𝑃benzene 𝑥benzene + 𝑃toluene 𝑥toluene

67.8 = 94.1𝑥benzene + 28.4(1 − 𝑥benzene )

67.8−28.4
𝑥benzene = 94.1−28.4 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟎𝟎

Problem 5

A new planet has been discovered and it is determined that the atmosphere is comprised of 18
mol-% of oxygen gas (O2). If a glass containing 250 mL of water has 12 mg of O2 dissolved at 20 °C,
what is the atmospheric pressure of the new planet.

Data: Henry’s constant for O2 at 20 °C is 1.3 × 10−3 mol L-1 atm-1.

Solution

First decide which version of Henry’s law to use (look at units of constant): 𝐶𝐴 = 𝑘𝐴 𝑃𝐴

Use given information to solve for the concentration of oxygen in water.

g mol O2 1 1000 mL
𝐶𝐴 = 12 mg O2 × × × × = 0.0015 M
1000 mg 32 g O2 250 mL L

Next solve for the partial pressure of oxygen in the atmosphere:

𝐶𝐴 0.0015 mol L atm
𝑃𝐴 = = × = 1.154 atm
𝑘𝐴 L 1.3 × 10−3 mol
Use the mole fraction of oxygen in the atmosphere of the new planet to calculate the atmospheric
pressure using Dalton’s law: 𝑃𝐴 = 𝑦𝐴 𝑃𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙
1.154 atm
𝑃𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = = 𝟔. 𝟒𝟏 𝐚𝐭𝐦
0.18