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Ch.8 Gases
Timberlake - Chemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry 14th Edition
Timberlake14thChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9781292472249Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 8, Problem 62

Using the answer from problem 8.61, how many grams of nitrogen are in Louisa’s lungs at STP if air contains 78% nitrogen?

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1
Determine the volume of air in Louisa's lungs from the answer to problem 8.61. This value will be used as the starting point for calculations.
Calculate the volume of nitrogen in Louisa's lungs by multiplying the total volume of air by the percentage of nitrogen in air (78%). Use the formula: V=Vair×0.78.
Use the ideal gas law to find the number of moles of nitrogen gas at STP. The ideal gas law is PV=nRT, where P = 1 atm, V = volume of nitrogen, R = 0.0821 L·atm/(mol·K), and T = 273.15 K.
Convert the moles of nitrogen gas to grams using the molar mass of nitrogen gas (N2). The molar mass of N2 is approximately 28.02 g/mol. Use the formula: mass=n×M, where n = moles of nitrogen and M = molar mass.
Summarize the process and ensure all units are consistent throughout the calculation to verify the result.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP)

STP refers to a standard set of conditions for measuring gases, defined as 0 degrees Celsius (273.15 K) and 1 atmosphere of pressure. Under these conditions, one mole of an ideal gas occupies 22.4 liters. Understanding STP is crucial for calculating gas volumes and conversions in chemistry.
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Composition of Air

Air is primarily composed of nitrogen (approximately 78%), oxygen (about 21%), and trace gases. Knowing the composition of air is essential for determining the amount of nitrogen present in a given volume of air, which is necessary for solving the problem regarding the nitrogen content in Louisa's lungs.
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Molar Mass of Nitrogen

The molar mass of nitrogen (N2) is approximately 28 grams per mole. This value is important for converting between moles of nitrogen and grams, allowing for the calculation of the total mass of nitrogen in Louisa's lungs based on the volume of air and its nitrogen content.
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