Themodynamics: calculating the partial pressure with Dalton's Law

In summary, the problem involves a sealed container with helium and methane, where the methane is added until its mass is equal to the mass of helium. Using the ideal gas law and Dalton's law, the total pressure after the procedure can be calculated. Attempt 1 does not take into account the change in volume, while attempt 2 assumes values for volume and temperature. The correct approach would be to use a general volume and temperature, and solve for the total pressure to be 5 bar.
  • #1
erde
8
1

Homework Statement


In a sealed container is Helium ##M_{He} = \frac {4kg} {kmol} ## with a pressure of ## p_{He} = 4bar##. now is Methan put isothermic inside the container till both the methan and the helium mass are equal( ##M_{CH4} = \frac {16kg} {kmol} ## Calculate using the ideal gas law and Dalton´s law the total pressure ##p_{total}## after the procedure

Homework Equations


## P*V=m*R*T##
ψ: volumen %

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
i have two different attempts with two different results, can someone please help me to identify which one is correct?
attempt 1.
1) ## P_{He} V_{He} = m_{He} R_{He} T_{He} ##
2) ## P_{CH4} V_{CH4}= m_{CH4} R_{CH4} T_{CH4} ##
## \frac {1)} {2)} = \frac {P_{He} V_{He}} {P_{CH4} V_{CH4}}= \frac {R_{He}} {R_{CH4}} ##

3) ##R=\frac {R_m} {M_M}##

## \frac {1)} {2)} = \frac {P_{He} V_{He}} {P_{CH4} V_{CH4}} = \frac {M_{CH4}} {M_{He}} = \frac {16} {4} =4##

## \frac {V_{He}} {V_{CH4}}=\frac {V_{He}} {V_{total}} \frac {V_{total}}{V_{CH4}} = \frac {ψ_{He}} {ψ_{CH4}}
=\frac {p_{He}}{p_{CH4}} ##

##\frac {p_{He} p_{He}}{p_{CH4} p_{CH4}}=4 ##
## 16bar^2= p_{He} ^2= 4 p_{CH4} ^2 ##
## 4bar^2= p_{CH4} ^2 ##
## p_{CH4}= 2 bar##
Dalton: ##p_{CH4} + p_{He}=p_{total}=6bar ##attempt 2.
AVOGADRO 1mol of gas at 25 °C occupies 24l so:
n: mol;
##R_m##: mol gas konstant;
##dT=0## for isothermic reaction ##T=constant##
##pV=nR_mT##
if ##p_{He}## is 4 bar and we assume that the Volumen of the container is ##24L## and the temperature is ##25°C ## the should be 4 mol of Helium in the container following the equation
##p_{1bar} V_{24l}= n_{1mol} R_m T##
##p_{4bar} V_{24l}= n_{4mol} R_m T##
##V##, ##R_m## and ##T## are constant so increasing ##n## from ##1## to ##4## should also increase ##p## from ##1## to ##4##

so if we input Methan till ##m_{Methan}=m_{Helium}## and we now that methan weights 4 times the weight of helium per mol we now that there are ##1 mol_{Methan}## for every ##4mol_{Helium}##.
so if the total mol amount inside the container is 5 mol the total pressure should be 5 bar
##p_{5bar} V_{24l}= n_{5mol} R_m T##
so ##p_{total}=5bar##
 
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  • #2
Neither approach is very good. The first one is incorrect because you do not take into account the fact that since the total volume does not change, then the volume of helium is not the same before and after the methane is added.

In the second case, you shouldn't assume values of the volume and the temperature. You should simply work with a volume ##V## and a temperature ##T##.
 
  • #3
so for the second approach the correct way would be to say
1)##p_0 V_0= n_0 R_m T_0##
2)##4p_0 V_0= 4n_0 R_m T_0##
##\frac {2)}{1)}=\frac {4p_0}{p_0}=\frac {4n_0}{n_0}##
so if ##m_{CH4}=m_{He}## => ##n_{CH4}=1/4n_{He}##
3) ## xp_0 V_== (4+1/4*4)n_0 R_m T_=## => ##xp_0 V_0=5n_0 R_m T_0## => ##x=5 ## so ##p_{total}=5bar##
 

1. What is thermodynamics?

Thermodynamics is the study of energy and its transformations, particularly in relation to heat and work. It is a branch of physics that helps us understand how energy is transferred and used in various systems.

2. What is partial pressure?

Partial pressure is the pressure exerted by a particular gas in a mixture of gases. It is the hypothetical pressure that the gas would exert if it occupied the same volume alone at the same temperature. It is an important concept in thermodynamics as it helps us understand the behavior of gases in different conditions.

3. What is Dalton's Law?

Dalton's Law, also known as the Law of Partial Pressures, states that the total pressure of a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of each individual gas. This means that in a gas mixture, each gas exerts its own pressure independent of the other gases present.

4. How do you calculate partial pressure using Dalton's Law?

To calculate the partial pressure of a gas in a mixture, you simply multiply the total pressure of the mixture by the mole fraction of the gas. The mole fraction is the ratio of the number of moles of the gas to the total number of moles in the mixture. This calculation can be represented by the formula: Pgas = Ptotal x Xgas.

5. Why is calculating partial pressure important in thermodynamics?

Calculating partial pressure is important in thermodynamics because it helps us understand the behavior of gases in different conditions. It allows us to predict how gases will behave when they are mixed together and how changes in temperature and pressure will affect their individual properties. This information is crucial in many industrial and scientific processes, such as in the design of chemical reactions and the operation of engines.

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