Thermal Physics - Dalton's Law etc

What next?In summary, the process of water vapour passing from liquid to vapour phase and diffusing through intercellular air spaces in a plant leaf was discussed. The diffusion constant for water vapour in air was given as 2.4 x 10^-5 m^2s^-1 and the properties of the stomatal pore were also provided. Based on the given information, the concentration of water molecules per cubic meter in the air can be calculated using the ideal gas law. Additionally, the concentration of water in the air in kg/m^3 can be determined using the molar mass of water.
  • #1
supakillea
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Inside the leaf of a plant, water vapour passes from the liquid phase to the vapour phase at the walls of the mesophyll cells, as shown in the figure (N/A due to copyright). The water vapour then diffuses through the intercellular air spaces and eventually exits the leaf through the stomatal pores. The diffusion constant for water vapor in air is D = 2.4 x 10−5 m2s−1. A stomatal pore has a cross-sectional area A = 6.8 x 10−11 m2 and a length L = 7.0 x 10−5 m. The plant is being propagated in a controlled environment: T = 17 °C, relative humidity 61 %. The saturated vapour pressure of water at 17 °C is 1.93 kPa.

(a) Assuming that the air around the plant is an ideal gas, what is the concentration of water molecules per cubic meter in the air? __________ molecules/m³

(b) Given that the molar mass of water is 18.0 g mol−1, what is the concentration of water in the air in kg/m³? __________ kg/m³2. Homework Equations - don't know...I know that the partial pressure of water vapour is 1.18kPa which can be worked out by using the saturated vapour pressure of water and the relative humidity ( x/1.93 = 0.61 , x = 1.18kPa )
But what do you do with it? I think its got something to do with the total pressure and etc but don't know exactly how
Please help me
Thanks
 
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  • #2
Hint: ideal gas law. You're correct that p for the water is 1.18 kPa.
 

1. What is Dalton's Law of partial pressures?

Dalton's Law states that the total pressure exerted by a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of each individual gas in the mixture. This means that each gas in the mixture behaves independently and exerts its own pressure, regardless of the presence of other gases.

2. How does temperature affect the partial pressures of gases?

According to the Ideal Gas Law, the partial pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature. This means that as the temperature increases, the partial pressure of a gas will also increase, and vice versa.

3. Can Dalton's Law be applied to non-ideal gases?

No, Dalton's Law is only applicable to ideal gases, which follow the ideal gas law and do not interact with each other. Real gases, on the other hand, do interact with each other and may not follow the ideal gas law.

4. How does altitude affect the partial pressures of gases?

As altitude increases, the atmospheric pressure decreases. This means that the partial pressures of gases in the atmosphere also decrease. This is because there are fewer gas molecules at higher altitudes, resulting in a decrease in the total pressure exerted by the mixture of gases.

5. How is Dalton's Law used in scuba diving?

In scuba diving, Dalton's Law is used to calculate the partial pressure of gases in a diver's breathing mixture. This is important because breathing in gases at high partial pressures can lead to dangerous conditions such as nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness. By following Dalton's Law, divers can ensure that the gas mixture they breathe is safe for the depth they are diving to.

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