1. What Is Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures?

Dalton's Law states that in a mixture of non-reacting gases, the total pressure exerted is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of individual gases. This fundamental principle in physical chemistry helps understand gas behavior in mixtures.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Dalton's Law equation:

Where:

• \( P_{total} \) — Total pressure of the gas mixture (Pa)
• \( P_1, P_2, P_3, \cdots \) — Partial pressures of individual gases (Pa)

Explanation: Each gas in a mixture exerts pressure independently, and the total pressure is simply the arithmetic sum of all partial pressures.

3. Importance of Total Pressure Calculation

Details: Calculating total pressure is essential in various applications including chemical engineering, respiratory physiology, scuba diving, atmospheric science, and industrial gas processing.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter partial pressures in Pascals (Pa). At least two partial pressures are required. All values must be non-negative. Additional partial pressures can be added for more complex mixtures.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are partial pressures?
A: Partial pressure is the pressure that a gas in a mixture would exert if it alone occupied the entire volume at the same temperature.

Q2: Does Dalton's Law apply to reacting gases?
A: No, Dalton's Law applies only to mixtures of non-reacting gases. Chemical reactions can alter partial pressures.

Q3: What units should I use for pressure?
A: The calculator uses Pascals (Pa), but you can convert from other units like atm, mmHg, or bar before entering values.

Q4: How does temperature affect partial pressures?
A: Temperature affects gas pressure according to the ideal gas law, but Dalton's Law holds true at constant temperature.

Q5: Can I calculate partial pressures from mole fractions?
A: Yes, partial pressure = mole fraction × total pressure. This calculator works in the opposite direction.