Chemistry Calculating Mole Fractions of N2 and O2 Dissolved in Water Using Henry's Law?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the mole fractions of nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) dissolved in water using Henry's Law. Participants highlight the importance of understanding the units of Henry's law constants, which are typically expressed in pressure/concentration units rather than just pressure. There is confusion regarding the application of vapor molar fractions and the need to consider water's molar fraction, which is significantly higher than 0.9. Clarification is provided that including the water's molar fraction is essential for accurate calculations. Ultimately, the correct approach resolves the initial discrepancies in the results.
Blitzy89
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Homework Statement


We know that for dry air, we have:
-78.08% mol N2 ;
-20.94% mol O2.
This is:
- Y(N2) = 0.7808 for nitrogen (the molar fraction in vapor)
- Y (O2) = 0.2094 for oxygen

Knowing that the Henry's law constants are:
for N2 and O2 are 6.51 x 10^7 Torr and 3.3 x 10^7 Torr, respectively

Calculate the mole fractions of N2 and O2 dissolved in water (xN2 and xO2) under total pressure of 1.000 bar

Homework Equations

Henry's law:
The partial pressure = henry's constant k1 x mole fraction of water (x)
P(N2) = K(N2).X(N2)
Same for O2.

Also, from Raoult's law:
Y(N2) = P(N2)/P(tot)
Same for oxygen.

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried applying the equations, but instead of the expected (x(N2)=0.6), I get really small results such as 0.00000651

I am just wondering if I am doing anything wrong by mixing the vapour molar fraction equation with Henry's law for the molar fractions for water?

Thank you.
 
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For some reasons I have troubles following what you did and I can't get the picture. But, there are things that are potentially wrong:

Blitzy89 said:
Knowing that the Henry's law constants are:
for N2 and O2 are 6.51 x 10^7 Torr and 3.3 x 10^7 Torr, respectively

Henry's law constant is usually listed in pressure/concentration units, these constants have only pressure. What happened to concentration?

And, if the answer is "molar fraction is considered unitless", is it molar fraction of gas in the solution? And if so,

expected (x(N2)=0.6)

what about water, which should have molar fraction well over 0.9?
 
Borek said:
what about water, which should have molar fraction well over 0.9?

Thank you for the tip, this is what I hadn't thought about.
It works out after you include the water.
 
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