In: Chemistry
Synthesis gas (also known as syngas) consists of a mixture of hydrogen, H2, and carbon monoxide, CO. Calculate the relative rate, as molecules per second, at which the hydrogen and carbon monoxide escape from a leaking cylinder of synthesis gas.
Not much information is provided, I believe that we need to invoke Graham’s law of diffusion to answer the problem. Graham’s law of diffusion states
(Rate)1/(Rate)2 = √(M2/M1) where the rates are the rate of leakage of the gas in molecules/second (we are taking the ratio, so the unit really doesn’t matter a lot); M1 and M2 are the molar masses of H2 and CO; 1 will denote H2 and 2 will denote CO
Calculate M1 and M2; M1 = 2*1.008 g/mol = 2.016 g/mol.
M2 = (1*12.01 + 1*15.9994) g/mol = 28.0094 g/mol.
Therefore, (Rate)1/(Rate)2 = √(28.0094 g/mol)/(2.016 g/mol) = √(13.89355) = 3.7274 ≈ 3.73
The relative rates of leakage of H2 and CO are 3.73:1 (ans).