Chapter 6 Gases

6.8
Partial Pressure (Daltons Law)

1
Partial Pressure

The partial pressure of a gas

is the pressure of each gas in a mixture.

is the pressure that gas would exert if it were by

itself in the container.

2
Daltons Law of Partial Pressures

Daltons Law of Partial Pressures indicates that

pressure depends on the total number of gas

particles, not on the types of particles.

the total pressure exerted by gases in a mixture is the

sum of the partial pressures of those gases.

PT = P1 + P2 + P3 +.....

3
Daltons Law of Partial Pressures

4
Illustrating Partial Pressures

5
Total Pressure

For example, at STP, one mole of a pure gas in a

volume of 22.4 L will exert the same pressure as one
mole of a gas mixture in 22.4 L.
V = 22.4 L
Gas mixtures

0.4 mole O2 0.5 mole O2

1.0 mole N2 0.6 mole He 0.3 mole He
1.0 mole 0.2 mole Ar
1.0 mole
1.0 atm 1.0 atm 1.0 atm

6
Scuba Diving

When a scuba diver dives, the

increased pressure causes N2(g)
to dissolve in the blood.
If a diver rises too fast, the
dissolved N2 will form bubbles in
the blood, a dangerous and
painful condition called "the
bends".
Helium, which does not dissolve in
the blood, is mixed with O2 to
prepare breathing mixtures for
deep descents.

7
Learning Check

A scuba tank contains O2 with a

pressure of 0.450 atm and He at
855 mm Hg. What is the total
pressure in mm Hg in the tank?

8
Solution

1. Convert the pressure in atm to mm Hg

0.450 atm x 760 mm Hg = 342 mm Hg = PO2
1 atm

2. Calculate the sum of the partial pressures.

Ptotal = PO2 + PHe

Ptotal = 342 mm Hg + 855 mm Hg

= 1197 mm Hg

9
Learning Check

For a deep dive, a scuba diver uses a mixture of

helium and oxygen with a pressure of 8.00 atm. If
the oxygen has a partial pressure of 1280 mm Hg,
what is the partial pressure of the helium?

1) 520 mm Hg
2) 2040 mm Hg
3) 4800 mm Hg

10
Solution

3) 4800 mm Hg

PTotal = 8.00 atm x 760 mm Hg = 6080 mm Hg

1 atm
PTotal = PO + PHe
2

PHe = PTotal - PO2

PHe = 6080 mm Hg - 1280 mm Hg

= 4800 mm Hg

11
Gases We Breathe

The air we breathe

is a gas mixture. TABLE 6.4
contains mostly N2
and O2 and small
amounts of other
gases.

12
Learning Check

A.If the atmospheric pressure today is 745 mm Hg,

what is the partial pressure (mm Hg) of O2 in the
air?
1) 35.6 2) 156 3) 760

B. At an atmospheric pressure of 714, what is the

partial pressure (mm Hg) N2 in the air?
1) 557 2) 9.14 3) 0.109

13
Solution

A.If the atmospheric pressure today is 745 mm Hg,

what is the partial pressure (mm Hg) of O2 in the
air?
2) 156

B. At an atmospheric pressure of 714, what is the

partial pressure (mm Hg) N2 in the air?
1) 557

14
Blood Gases

In the lungs, O2
enters the blood,
while CO2 from the
blood is released.

In the tissues, O2
enters the cells,
which release CO2
into the blood.

15
Blood Gases

In the body,
O2 flows into the tissues because the partial pressure of
O2 is higher in blood, and lower in the tissues.
CO2 flows out of the tissues because the partial
pressure of CO2 is higher in the tissues, and lower in the
blood.
Partial Pressures in Blood and Tissue
Oxygenated Deoxygenated
Gas Blood Blood Tissues
O2 100 40 30 or less
CO2 40 46 50 or greater

16
Gas Exchange During Breathing

TABLE 6.5

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