Humber Admissions Practice Test

What does Dalton's law of partial pressure state about a mixture of gasses?

1. They must behave as a singular entity

2. Individual gasses behave independently and sum to total pressure

3. All gases contribute equally to total pressure

4. Only the largest gas contributes to total pressure

The correct answer is: Individual gasses behave independently and sum to total pressure

Dalton's law of partial pressures states that in a mixture of gases, each gas exerts its own pressure independently of the others. This means that the total pressure of the mixture is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of each individual gas. Each gas behaves as if it is the only gas present, regardless of the other gases in the mixture. Therefore, the correct choice highlights that individual gases contribute to the total pressure based on their own characteristics, allowing for an additive relationship in terms of pressure. This principle is fundamental in understanding gas behavior in various scientific and engineering contexts, such as atmospheric science and chemical reactions, where the behavior of mixed gases plays a significant role.