Atmospheric pressure at sea level is equal to a column of 760 mm Hg.Oxygen makes up 21% of the atmosphere by volume.The partial pressure of oxygen in such conditions is
A)160 mm Hg.
B)16 mm Hg.
C)1.6 mm Hg.
D)760 mm Hg.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The partial pressure of a gas in a mixture is calculated by multiplying the total pressure by the fraction of the gas in the mixture. For oxygen, which makes up 21% of the atmosphere, its partial pressure at sea level (where total atmospheric pressure is 760 mm Hg) is 0.21 * 760 mm Hg = 160 mm Hg.

Atmospheric Pressure at Sea Level Is Equal to a Column