Vapor Pressure Saturation in Air Collection: Estimating Water Vapor Mass

AI Thread Summary
To estimate the mass of water vapor in 1.0 L of saturated air at 20°C, apply Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures and the Ideal Gas Law. The vapor pressure of water at this temperature is 17.54 mmHg, which can be used to calculate the amount of water vapor present. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding vapor pressure and how it relates to the total pressure of the air mixture. Participants express confusion about the initial steps but highlight the need to incorporate the Ideal Gas Law for a solution. Ultimately, the estimated mass of water vapor is 0.017 g.
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Homework Statement


"Suppose you were to collect 1.0 L air by passing it slowly thorugh water at 20C and into a container. estimate the mass of water vapor in the collect air, assuming that the air is saturated."

I don't know where to even begin. at first i thought it had something to do with henry's law, but that didn't lead me anywhere

Homework Equations


Henrys Law
S=kH X P

The Attempt at a Solution


I have no idea, I read the chapter on physical equilibria throughly, but I can't answer this question. All I need is the conceptual understanding as to how I would solve this problem. The only way I thought of doing this is
1. find the solubility of air in water (henry's constant given)
2. plug in the vapor pressure of water at 20C for P
3. Obtain solubility
4. then I have the solubility of air in water
5. that didn't get me anywhere

I couldn't think of anything else, conceptual guidance would be appreciated
the answer is I don't know where to even begin. at first i thought it had something to do with henry's law, but that didn't lead me anywhere

the answer is 0.017g
thanks !
 
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Apply Dalton's law of partial pressures to the vapor phase.
 
Thanks for the reply,
I thought about it, but still can't figure out how to do it... it shouldn't be that hard, its the first problem in the chapter!:frown:

so daltons law says that the total pressure is equal to the mole fractions of each species multiplied by the total pressure
ie
Ptot = X1P + X2P

I have that the vapor pressure of water at 20C is 17.54
what can I do now?
 
You've got volume, you've got pressure, you've got temperature. What do you know about ideal gases?
 
wow simple
i keep forgetting to always think about the ideal gas law
thank you so much
 
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