A gas mixture is composed of three different gases. The first gas in the mixture has a pressure of 0.35 atm. The second gas in the mixture has a pressure of 0.20 atm. The third gas in the mixture has a pressure of 0.65 atm. What is the total pressure of the gas mixture? (answer with correct significant figures and units)

1.20atm

Explanation:

Given parameters:

Partial pressure of gas 1 = 0.35atm

Partial pressure of gas 2 = 0.20atm

Partial pressure of gas 3 = 0.65atm

Unknown:

Total pressure of the gas mixture = ?

Solution:

To solve this problem, we need to recall and understand the Dalton's law of partial pressure.

Dalton's law of partial pressure states that "the total pressure of a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the partial pressure of the constituent gases".

Total pressure = Pressure of gas (1 + 2 + 3)

The partial pressure is the pressure a gas would exert if it alone occupied the volume of the gas mixture.

Now we substitute;

Total pressure = (0.35 + 0.20 + 0.65) atm = 1.20atm