Question

In a gaseous mixture, how does `P_"Total"` relate to the individual partial pressures, i.e. `P_1`, `P_2`...`P_n` exerted by each gaseous component?

Answer 1

I am not quite sure that you have grasped the issue.........

Explanation:

In a gaseous mixture, the partial pressure, `P_1`, exerted by a component gas is the same as the pressure it would exert if it alone occupied the containers. The total pressure, `P_"total"` is the sum of the individual partial pressures.

`P_"total"=P_1+P_2+..........P_n`

But if we use the Ideal Gas Equation:

`P_"total"=(n_"total"RT)/V`

`=(RT)/V{n_1+n_2+.....................+n_n}`

And the partial pressure of a component gas is thus simply,

`n_i/{n_1+n_2+.....................n_n}xxP_"total"`

If I have missed the direction of your question, please qualify it.