Question

A tank contains helium gas at 490mmHg, nitrogen gas at 0.75atm, and neon at 520 torr. What is the total pressure in atm?
A. 1.5 atm
B. 1.0*10^3
C. 1600 atm
D. 2.1 atm
E. 0.55 atm
The answer is 2.1 atm, but I don't understand why

Answer 1

you need to convert the first and third pressures into atm, so they can be added together

Answer 2

since \[1atm = 760mmHg\]then \[490 \cancel{mmHg} * \frac{1atm}{760 \cancel{mmHg}} = 0.645atm\]

Answer 3

each gas provides its own partial pressure to the whole pressure, but they can't be added together unless they are in the same unit

Answer 4

Wait so what about the third pressure??

Answer 5

How do I convert "torr" to "atm"?

Answer 6

Is it true that 760 torr = 1 atm?

Answer 7

it is