An average adult has a total lung capacity of 6.0 L. How many total grams of air could be held in the lungs at a pressure of 102 kPa and a normal body temperature of 37° Celsius? (Assume that the average molar mass of air is 29 g/mol.)

Question

anonymous · Answer

Answer choices:
A. 6.9 g
B. 2.0 g
C. 5.0 g 
D. 4.2 g

anonymous · Answer

@dan815 
May you help please?

cpinder · Answer

A. 6.9 g

cpinder · Answer

You're able to figure this out by using the ideal gas equation PV=nRT
Where R=.08 (L*atm/mol*K)

Convert 37 C to Kelvin=310 K
and 102 kPa to atm=roughly 1 atm

Manipulate the ideal gas equation to n=PV/RT

Plug in your values (1 atm * 6 L) / (.08 (L*atm/mol*K) * 310 K)

All units should cancel except for mol and you should get .24 mol.

Multiply the molar mass of air by your answer. 

.24 mol * 29 g/mol

moles should cancel and you should get 6.9 g.