Q.At equilibrium the rate of dissolution of a solid solute in a volatile liquid solvent is __________.
Concept understanding — Henrys Law
Henry's Law: The Physics of "Fizz"
Imagine you open a cold bottle of soda. You hear that familiar psshhht sound. Bubbles rush out. Now think: why were those bubbles inside the bottle in the first place? The liquid wasn't boiling. The answer is Henry's Law.
The Intuition: Gas Wants to Dissolve
Gases are just molecules flying around. When a gas touches a liquid, some of those molecules get "trapped" inside the liquid — they dissolve. But here's the key: the more you push on the gas, the more of it gets forced into the liquid.
Think of a crowded bus. If you push more people toward the door (higher pressure), more people get squeezed inside. If you let the pressure off (open the bottle), people rush out. That's exactly what happens with gas and liquid.
In the soda bottle, carbon dioxide gas is pumped in at high pressure. That pressure forces a huge amount of CO₂ to dissolve into the liquid. When you open the bottle, the pressure above the liquid drops to normal air pressure. Suddenly, the liquid can't hold all that CO₂ anymore — so it escapes as bubbles. That's the fizz.
The Precise Statement
Henry's Law says:
C=kH⋅P
Where:
- C = concentration of the dissolved gas in the liquid (usually mol/L or g/L)
- P = partial pressure of that gas above the liquid (usually atm or kPa)
- kH = Henry's law constant — a number that depends on the specific gas, the liquid, and the temperature
In words: At a constant temperature, the amount of gas that dissolves in a liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas above the liquid.
What the Constant kH Tells You
kH is not universal. It's different for every gas-liquid pair. For example:
- CO₂ in water has a certain kH
- O₂ in water has a different kH (smaller — oxygen doesn't dissolve as easily)
Temperature matters too. Higher temperature means lower kH — gases become less soluble in hot liquids. That's why a warm soda goes flat faster than a cold one.
Henry's Law works only for dilute solutions and non-reacting gases. If the gas reacts chemically with the liquid (like HCl gas dissolving in water to form hydrochloric acid), Henry's Law does not apply — the concentration will be much higher than predicted.
Real-Life Examples
| Situation | What Henry's Law explains |
|---|---|
| Soda fizz | High pressure forces CO₂ in; releasing pressure lets it out |
| Scuba diving | At depth, high pressure forces more N₂ into blood; rising too fast causes decompression sickness ("the bends") |
| Fish breathing | Oxygen dissolves in water at the surface (where partial pressure is highest); deeper water has less dissolved O₂ |
| Altitude sickness | At high altitude, lower atmospheric pressure means less O₂ dissolves in your blood |
The Key Takeaway
Henry's Law is a proportionality: double the pressure above the liquid → double the gas dissolved in the liquid (at constant temperature). It's why carbonated drinks are bottled under pressure, why deep-sea divers must ascend slowly, and why a warm drink loses its carbonation faster.
The law is simple, but its consequences are everywhere — from the soda in your hand to the air you breathe at different altitudes.
Henry's law is a key quantitative concept in the NCERT/CBSE Class 12 Chemistry chapter on Solutions, and ‘Henry's law formula’ or ‘Henry's law numericals’ are common important-question searches for board exams, JEE Main and NEET. Its real-world applications, like gas solubility in carbonated drinks and blood at altitude, make it a favourite for application-based competitive-exam questions.
Why this formula?
Henry's Law: Why the Formula Holds
Henry's Law describes the solubility of a gas in a liquid at a constant temperature. The key formula is:
P=kH⋅x
Where:
- P = partial pressure of the gas above the liquid
- x = mole fraction of the gas dissolved in the liquid
- kH = Henry's constant (depends on gas, liquid, and temperature)
Why This Linear Relationship Exists
1. Dynamic Equilibrium at the Interface
Imagine a gas above a liquid. At the molecular level:
- Gas molecules constantly strike the liquid surface and dissolve
- Dissolved molecules constantly escape back into the gas phase
At equilibrium, the rate of dissolution equals the rate of escape. This is a dynamic balance, not a static one.
2. The Driving Force for Dissolution
The rate at which gas molecules enter the liquid depends on:
- How many gas molecules hit the surface — this is proportional to the partial pressure P of the gas
- How easily they dissolve — this is captured by kH
So:
Ratedissolve∝P
3. The Driving Force for Escape
The rate at which dissolved molecules leave the liquid depends on:
- How many dissolved molecules are near the surface — this is proportional to the mole fraction x of the gas in the liquid
- How easily they escape — also captured by kH
So:
Rateescape∝x
4. Equating the Two Rates
At equilibrium:
Ratedissolve=Rateescape
Therefore:
P∝x
Introducing the proportionality constant kH:
P=kH⋅x
Why It's Linear (Not Exponential or Logarithmic)
The linearity arises because:
- No saturation effects at low concentrations — the molecules don't "crowd" each other
- Ideal behavior is assumed — gas molecules don't interact strongly with each other or with the solvent
- Temperature is constant — kH doesn't change
This is analogous to Raoult's Law for ideal solutions, but for a solute gas rather than a solvent.
Key Exam Points
- Henry's Law works best for dilute solutions (low x)
- kH increases with temperature — gases become less soluble as temperature rises
- kH is different for each gas-liquid pair — e.g., CO2 in water vs O2 in water
- The law fails if the gas reacts chemically with the solvent (e.g., HCl in water)
Quick Example
If kH=3.0×104 atm for O2 in water at 25°C, and the partial pressure of O2 in air is 0.21 atm:
x=kHP=3.0×1040.21=7.0×10−6
This tiny mole fraction explains why fish need gills to extract enough oxygen from water!
Bottom line: Henry's Law is a direct consequence of dynamic equilibrium at the gas-liquid interface, where the rates of dissolution and escape balance each other linearly.
Concept: Dynamic equilibrium in a saturated solution.
When a solid dissolves in a solvent, two opposing processes occur simultaneously: dissolution (solid → solution) and crystallization (solution → solid). Initially, the dissolution rate exceeds crystallization because the solution is unsaturated.
As more solute dissolves, the solution concentration increases, which accelerates the crystallization rate. Equilibrium is reached when the solution becomes saturated — at this point, the rate at which solute particles leave the solid phase exactly matches the rate at which they return to it.
This is a dynamic equilibrium: both processes continue, but their rates are equal, so the net concentration remains constant. Neither process stops (rate ≠ zero), and neither dominates the other.
At equilibrium, the rate of dissolution equals the rate of crystallization. The answer is (iii).
At equilibrium, opposing processes occur at equal rates; dissolution and crystallisation balance perfectly, giving (iii).
Understanding Dynamic Equilibrium
Equilibrium in chemistry is not a static, frozen state - it's a dynamic balance. When a solid dissolves in a liquid, two processes compete:
- Dissolution: solid particles leave the crystal lattice and enter the solution
- Crystallisation: dissolved particles return to the solid phase
Initially, only dissolution occurs. As concentration rises, crystallisation begins too.
Reaching Equilibrium
- Early stage: Rate of dissolution > rate of crystallisation - net dissolution continues.
- Equilibrium: Rate of dissolution = rate of crystallisation - the solution becomes saturated; concentration stays constant, but particles continuously exchange between phases.
- The key insight: equilibrium does not mean nothing is happening - forward and reverse processes proceed at identical rates, so no net change occurs.
A common mistake is thinking equilibrium means "everything stops." In reality both dissolution and crystallisation continue - they just cancel out macroscopically.
Ratedissolution=Ratecrystallisation
The correct option is (iii): equal to the rate of crystallisation.
Concept: Dynamic Equilibrium in Solutions
When a solid solute dissolves in a volatile liquid solvent, two opposing processes occur simultaneously:
- Dissolution — solute particles leave the solid surface and enter the solvent.
- Crystallisation — dissolved solute particles return to the solid surface and re-form the solid.
At equilibrium, these processes do not stop — they continue at the same rate. This is called dynamic equilibrium.
Method: Dynamic Equilibrium Principle
Steps:
-
Identify the two opposing processes
- Dissolution (solid → solution)
- Crystallisation (solution → solid)
-
Recall the definition of dynamic equilibrium
At equilibrium, the rates of the forward and reverse processes become equal, not zero.
-
Apply to the given situation
- Rate of dissolution = Rate of crystallisation
- The system appears static (no net change in amount of solid or concentration), but both processes are ongoing.
-
Eliminate incorrect options
- (i) and (ii) imply unequal rates — not possible at equilibrium.
- (iv) implies both rates are zero — incorrect, as equilibrium is dynamic.
Final Answer:
(iii) equal to the rate of crystallisation
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Confusing “equilibrium” with “no change” → Choosing (iv) zero
Why it happens:
Students often think “at equilibrium, nothing happens.” They see the word equilibrium and assume the rate must be zero.
How to avoid:
Remember: Equilibrium is dynamic, not static.
- At equilibrium, the net change is zero, but the forward and reverse processes continue at equal rates.
- For dissolution: solid particles leave the surface (dissolve) and dissolved particles return to the surface (crystallise) at the same speed.
- So the rate is not zero — it is equal to the rate of crystallisation.
Correct choice: (iii) equal to the rate of crystallisation.
Mistake 2: Thinking dissolution stops when solution is saturated
Why it happens:
Students believe that once a solution is saturated, no more solid can dissolve, so the dissolution rate becomes zero.
How to avoid:
- Saturation means the concentration of dissolved solute is at its maximum at that temperature.
- But molecules are still moving: some solid leaves the surface, some dissolved solute returns.
- At saturation, the two rates are equal — dissolution continues, but crystallisation matches it exactly.
Key takeaway:
“Saturated” ≠ “dissolution stopped.” It means dissolution rate = crystallisation rate.
Mistake 3: Misreading “volatile liquid solvent” and overcomplicating
Why it happens:
The phrase “volatile liquid solvent” distracts students. They think volatility changes the equilibrium behaviour.
How to avoid:
- Volatility of the solvent affects vapour pressure and boiling, but not the dissolution–crystallisation equilibrium of a solid solute.
- The principle of dynamic equilibrium for dissolution is the same regardless of solvent volatility.
- Ignore the “volatile” label — it’s a red herring. Focus on the solid–solution interface.
Mistake 4: Picking (i) or (ii) — thinking one rate is always higher
Why it happens:
Students confuse the direction of net change before equilibrium with the state at equilibrium.
How to avoid:
- Before equilibrium (unsaturated solution): dissolution rate > crystallisation rate → net dissolving.
- At equilibrium: rates are equal.
- After equilibrium (supersaturated): crystallisation rate > dissolution rate → net crystallisation.
The question asks at equilibrium — so only (iii) is correct.
Quick Summary Table
| Mistake | Wrong choice | Why it’s wrong | Correct reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equilibrium = no activity | (iv) zero | Equilibrium is dynamic | Rates are equal, not zero |
| Saturation = dissolution stops | (iv) zero | Saturation is dynamic | Dissolution continues at same rate as crystallisation |
| Distracted by “volatile” | Any | Volatility irrelevant here | Focus on solid–solution equilibrium |
| Confusing before/at equilibrium | (i) or (ii) | Those describe net change before equilibrium | At equilibrium, rates are equal |
Final answer: (iii) equal to the rate of crystallisation.
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.At 293 K, methane gas was passed into 1 L of water. The partial pressure of methane is 1 bar. The number of moles of methane dissolved in 1 L water is (KH of methane = 0.4 kbar) (A) 1.38 (B) 1.38×10−2 (C) 1.38×10−3 (D) 1.38×10−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Applying Henry's law to find methane's mole fraction, then converting to moles dissolved in 1 L of water, gives about 1.38×10−1 mol — option (D).
Concept and Intuition
Henry's law states that the partial pressure of a gas above a solution is proportional to its mole fraction in the solution: p=KHx. A large KH (here 400 bar) means the gas is not very soluble, so only a small mole fraction dissolves under a given pressure. Once we know the mole fraction, and knowing that water vastly outnumbers the dissolved gas molecules, we can approximate moles of water as the total moles in solution to extract the actual moles of dissolved methane.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Henry's law: p=KHx⇒x=KHp=0.4 kbar1 bar=4001=2.5×10−3.
- Moles of water in 1 L (mass ≈ 1000 g, taking density ≈ 1 g/mL): nwater=181000=55.56 mol.
- Since x=nCH4+nwaternCH4≈nwaternCH4 (as nCH4≪nwater): nCH4=x×nwater=2.5×10−3×55.56=0.1389 mol.
- Rounding, nCH4≈1.38×10−1 mol.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to convert KH from kbar to bar (400 bar, not 0.4 bar) before dividing.
- Misplacing the decimal point (choosing 1.38×10−2 or 1.38×10−3 instead of the correctly-scaled 1.38×10−1).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — 1.38×10−1.
ANSWER: D
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.In water, which of the following gases has the highest Henry's law constant at 293 K? (A) N2 (B) O2 (C) He (D) H2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Henry's law constant increases as solubility decreases; helium, being the least soluble of the four gases in water, has the highest KH — option (C).
Concept and Intuition
Henry's law states p=KH⋅x, where p is the partial pressure of the gas and x is its mole fraction dissolved in the liquid. A larger KH means a smaller mole fraction dissolves for the same partial pressure — i.e., higher KH = lower solubility. Noble gases like helium have very weak intermolecular (van der Waals) interactions with water and are notoriously poorly soluble, which is why divers use helium-based gas mixtures (to reduce the amount of gas — like nitrogen — that dissolves in blood and causes decompression sickness).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Recall the qualitative solubility order in water for these gases: O2 is somewhat more soluble than N2, and both are more soluble than the very inert, small, monoatomic He.
- Since KH∝solubility1, the least soluble gas has the largest KH.
- Helium is the least soluble of the four given gases in water at 293 K, so it has the highest Henry's law constant.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing KH with solubility directly (thinking "highest KH" means "most soluble" — it's the opposite).
- Assuming H2, being the smallest molecule, is least soluble — in practice, among these four, He has the higher KH (lower solubility) in the standard reference data.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — He.
ANSWER: C
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.At 293 K, the Henry law constant in water for N2 and O2 are 76.48 k bar and 34.86 k bar respectively. What is the ratio of mole fractions of N2 and O2 in water? (Assume partial pressures of N2 and O2 same at 293 K) (A) 2.19 (B) 0.95 (C) 0.60 (D) 0.45
›Reveal solutionSolution
Henry's law with equal partial pressures gives a mole-fraction ratio inversely proportional to the Henry's law constants, ≈0.45.
Concept and Intuition
Henry's law states that the partial pressure of a gas above a liquid is directly proportional to its mole fraction dissolved in the liquid: p=KHx. A larger KH means the gas is less soluble (needs a higher partial pressure to dissolve the same mole fraction), so for two gases at the same partial pressure, the one with the larger KH ends up with the smaller mole fraction dissolved.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write Henry's law for each gas: pN2=KH,N2xN2 and pO2=KH,O2xO2.
- Given pN2=pO2 (equal partial pressures), divide the two equations: xO2xN2=KH,N2KH,O2.
- Substitute values: 76.4834.86=0.4557.
- Rounding, xO2xN2≈0.45.
Common Mistakes
- Inverting the ratio (using KH,N2/KH,O2 instead of the correct KH,O2/KH,N2).
- Forgetting that a larger KH corresponds to lower solubility (smaller mole fraction) at a given pressure.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — 0.45.
ANSWER: D
- AP EAPCET 2022Set ap-2022-07-11-FN1 markMCQQ.At T(K), Henry's law constant for the molality of methane in benzene is 4.27×105 mm Hg. The solubility of methane in benzene at T(K) under a pressure of 2 atmospheres is (A) 1.78×10−3 (B) 4.56×10−3 (C) 3.56×10−3 (D) 5.34×10−3
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a direct application of Henry's law relating partial pressure of a gas above a liquid to its mole fraction dissolved in it.
Concept and Intuition
Henry's law states p=KHx, where p is the partial pressure of the gas, x is its mole fraction in solution, and KH is the Henry's law constant (here expressed in mm Hg, so the pressure must also be converted to mm Hg for consistent units).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Convert pressure to mm Hg: 2 atm=2×760=1520 mm Hg.
- Apply Henry's law: x=KHp=4.27×1051520.
- Compute: x≈3.559×10−3≈3.56×10−3.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to convert atm to mm Hg (unit mismatch with KH).
- Confusing mole fraction x with molality or molarity.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — 3.56×10−3.
ANSWER: C
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-AN1 markMCQQ.At T(K) the molarity of CO2 (in mol L−1) in 200 mL of soda water packed under a pressure of 3.4 bar is (KH of CO2 in water is 1.7×103 bar at T(K)) (A) 2.0×10−2 (B) 1.11×10−1 (C) 2.22×10−1 (D) 5.1×10−2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using Henry's law p=KHx to get the mole fraction of dissolved CO2, then converting mole fraction to molarity via the moles of water in 200 mL, gives ≈1.11×10−1 molL−1.
Concept and Intuition
Henry's law states that the partial pressure of a gas above a solution is proportional to its mole fraction in the solution: p=KHxgas. This lets us find the mole fraction of dissolved gas directly from the applied pressure and the Henry's law constant. Since the mole fraction of a dilute solute is tiny, we can approximate the total moles of solution as just the moles of solvent (water), and convert mole fraction to concentration using the known amount of solvent present.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Apply Henry's law: xCO2=KHp=1.7×1033.4=2×10−3.
- Find moles of water in 200 mL of soda water (density ≈1 g/mL, so mass =200 g): nH2O=18200=11.11 mol.
- Since xCO2=nCO2+nH2OnCO2≈nH2OnCO2 (as xCO2 is small), we get nCO2≈xCO2×nH2O=2×10−3×11.11=0.02222 mol.
- Molarity =V(L)nCO2=0.2000.02222=0.1111 molL−1=1.11×10−1 molL−1.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to convert the volume from mL to L before dividing.
- Using the total volume of solution instead of the amount of solvent when converting mole fraction to moles of solute — this only works because the solution is dilute so nwater≈ntotal.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — 1.11×10−1.
ANSWER: B
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-FN1 markMCQQ.At T (K), the partial pressure of dissolved oxygen in 1 L water is 1 bar. The concentration of oxygen is ppm is (KH of O2 at T(K) is 50 kbar) (A) 71.0 (B) 35.50 (C) 17.75 (D) 81.10
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a direct Henry's law + unit-conversion problem: convert the given partial pressure into a mole fraction, then into ppm (mg solute per kg solvent). The answer is 35.50 ppm.
Concept and Intuition
Henry's law states that for a gas dissolved in a liquid at a given temperature, the partial pressure of the gas above the solution is proportional to the mole fraction of the gas dissolved in the liquid: p=KHx. A large KH (like 50 kbar here) means the gas is poorly soluble — it takes a huge partial pressure to force even a tiny mole fraction into solution, which is exactly the situation for O2 in water. Once we know the mole fraction, we can convert it to ppm because for very dilute solutions the mole fraction is essentially the ratio of moles of solute to (moles of solute + moles of solvent) ≈ moles of solute / moles of solvent.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Apply Henry's law: xO2=KHp=50000 bar1 bar=2×10−5.
- Since the solution is dilute, xO2≈n(H2O)n(O2).
- In 1 L of water, mass ≈1000 g, so n(H2O)=181000=55.56 mol.
- n(O2)=xO2×n(H2O)=2×10−5×55.56=1.111×10−3 mol.
- Mass of O2=1.111×10−3 mol×32 g/mol=0.03556 g =35.56 mg.
- This mass is dissolved in 1 kg (1 L) of water, so the concentration is 35.56 mg/kg =35.56 ppm ≈35.50 ppm.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting that KH has units of pressure, so x=p/KH (not p×KH).
- Using molarity instead of mole fraction directly, without converting through moles of water.
- Forgetting the factor of 1000 (g to kg, or g to mg) when converting to ppm.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — 35.50.
ANSWER: B
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-20-FN1 markMCQQ.If the KH values for Ar(g), CO2(g), HCHO(g) and CH4(g) respectively are 40.39, 1.67, 1.83×10−5 and 0.413, then identify the correct increasing order of their solubilities. (A) HCHO<CH4<CO2<Ar (B) HCHO<CO2<CH4<Ar (C) Ar<CO2<HCHO<CH4 (D) Ar<CO2<CH4<HCHO
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since solubility varies inversely with Henry's law constant, ranking the given KH values from largest to smallest and reversing gives the increasing-solubility order Ar<CO2<CH4<HCHO. Answer (D).
Concept and Intuition
Henry's law states p=KHx, where p is the gas's partial pressure above the solution and x is its dissolved mole fraction. For a FIXED partial pressure, a larger KH forces a SMALLER equilibrium mole fraction x=p/KH — meaning the gas is less soluble. So solubility and KH are inversely related.
Step-by-Step Solution
- List the given KH values: Ar=40.39, CO2=1.67, HCHO=1.83×10−5, CH4=0.413.
- Sort from largest KH (least soluble) to smallest KH (most soluble): Ar(40.39)>CO2(1.67)>CH4(0.413)>HCHO(1.83×10−5).
- Solubility runs in exactly the opposite order (smallest KH = most soluble): HCHO (most soluble) >CH4>CO2>Ar (least soluble).
- So, in INCREASING order of solubility: Ar<CO2<CH4<HCHO.
- This matches option (D).
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the inverse relationship and ranking solubility in the SAME order as KH instead of the reverse.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — Ar<CO2<CH4<HCHO.
ANSWER: D
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-FN1 markMCQQ.A gas X is dissolved in water at 2 bar pressure. Its mole fraction in the solution is 0.02. Find the mole fraction of water in the solution when the pressure of the gas is doubled at the same temperature. (A) 0.04 (B) 0.98 (C) 0.96 (D) 0.02
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests Henry's law (p=KHx): doubling the gas pressure doubles the gas's mole fraction in solution, so the water's mole fraction drops from 0.98 to 0.96.
Concept and Intuition
Henry's law says the partial pressure of a gas above a dilute solution is directly proportional to its mole fraction in the solution: p=KH⋅xgas, with KH constant at a given temperature. So if pressure doubles, the mole fraction of dissolved gas also doubles (as long as KH doesn't change, i.e., temperature is constant, as stated). The mole fraction of water then adjusts to keep the two mole fractions summing to 1 (a binary solution of gas + water).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: at p1=2 bar, mole fraction of gas x1=0.02.
- Apply Henry's law to find KH: KH=x1p1=0.022=100 bar.
- At the same temperature, KH is unchanged. New pressure p2=2×2=4 bar.
- New mole fraction of gas: x2=KHp2=1004=0.04.
- Since gas + water make up the whole solution, mole fraction of water =1−x2=1−0.04=0.96.
Common Mistakes
- Answering with the gas's new mole fraction (0.04, option A) instead of the water's mole fraction that the question actually asks for.
- Forgetting that mole fraction of gas simply doubles under Henry's law (constant KH) — some students mistakenly assume doubling pressure doubles the water's mole fraction instead, or leave it unchanged at 0.98 (option B), forgetting the pressure change entirely.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — 0.96.
ANSWER: C
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-25-FN1 markMCQQ.Henrys law constant for CO2 in water is 1.67×108 Pa. Calculate the approximate quantity of CO2 in 500 ml of soda water when packed under 5 atm CO2 at 298 K. (A) 3.7 g (B) 1.84 g (C) 2.2 g (D) 4.4 g
›Reveal solutionSolution
Apply Henry's law to get the mole fraction of dissolved CO₂, then convert to mass using the moles of water present in 500 mL. Answer: 3.7 g.
Concept and Intuition
Henry's law states that the partial pressure of a dissolved gas is proportional to its mole fraction in solution: p=KH⋅x. Once the (small) mole fraction of dissolved gas is known, it can be converted to moles using the (much larger) known amount of solvent, since x≈ngas/nsolvent when the gas is dilute.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Convert pressure: P=5 atm=5×101325 Pa=506,625 Pa.
- Henry's law: xCO2=KHP=1.67×108506,625=3.034×10−3.
- Moles of water in 500 mL (density ≈1 g/mL): nwater=18500=27.78 mol.
- Since xCO2≈nCO2+nwaternCO2≈nwaternCO2 (dilute gas): nCO2=xCO2×nwater=3.034×10−3×27.78=0.0843 mol.
- Mass of CO2=0.0843×44=3.71 g ≈3.7 g.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to convert atm to Pa before dividing by KH (which is given in Pa).
- Using the total moles (gas + water) instead of approximating with just water moles — the small-x approximation is standard here and gives a clean match.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — 3.7 g.
ANSWER: A
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