What is the partial pressure of radon if the total pressure is 780 torr and the
water vapor partial pressure is 1.0 atm?

0.03atm

Explanation:

Given parameters:

Total pressure  = 780torr

Partial pressure of water vapor  = 1.0atm

Unknown:

Partial pressure of radon  = ?

Solution:

A sound knowledge of Dalton's law of partial pressure will help solve this problem.

The law states that "the total pressure of a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of the constituent gases".

Mathematically;

           P   =   P  + P   +   P

Since the total pressure is 780torr, convert this to atm;

                       760torr = 1 atm

                       780torr  = atm  = 1.03atm

     For this problem;

Total pressure  = Partial pressure of radon + Partial pressure of water vapor

            1.03 = Partial pressure of radon + 1.0

  Partial pressure of radon  = 1.03 - 1.00  = 0.03atm