Octane is a liquid component of gasoline. Given the following vapor pressures of octane at various temperatures, estimate the boiling point of octane in Leadville, Colorado, where the atmospheric pressure is 496 mmHg.400 mmHg @ 104^$\circ$C, 500 mmHg @ 111^$\circ$C, 600 mmHg @ 117^$\circ$C, 700 mmHg @ 122^$\circ$C, 760 mmHg @ 125^$\circ$C A) 125^$\circ$C B) 120^$\circ$C C) 115^$\circ$C D) 110^$\circ$C E) 105^$\circ$C

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

We know that the boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure.

In this case, we need to find the temperature at which the vapor pressure of octane is equal to the atmospheric pressure in Leadville, which is 496 mmHg.

Looking at the given data, we can see that the vapor pressure of octane is around 400 mmHg at 104°F, and increases to 760 mmHg at 125°F.

This means that the boiling point of octane must be somewhere between 104°F and 125°F.

To narrow down the possible range, we can use linear interpolation.

Using the two data points closest to 496 mmHg (500 mmHg at 111°F and 600 mmHg at 117°F), we can estimate that the vapor pressure of octane at 110°F is approximately 525 mmHg.

Since 525 mmHg is close to the atmospheric pressure of 496 mmHg, we can conclude that the boiling point of octane in Leadville, CO is around 110°F.

Therefore, the best choice is D) 110°F.

Octane Is a Liquid Component of Gasoline ∘\circ∘ C, 500 MmHg @ 111

Octane Is a Liquid Component of Gasoline $\circ$ C, 500 MmHg @ 111