In this problem you will determine whether moist air is more dense or less dense than dry air. Dry air is mostly molecular nitrogen (two atoms of nitrogen bonded together, written N2) and molecular oxygen (two atoms of oxygen bonded together, written O2). We will compare a "dry" parcel of air that contains eight molecules of N2 and two molecules of O2 with a "moist" parcel of air that contains seven molecules of N2, two molecules of O2, and one molecule of water vapor (H2O).
Assume that the two parcels occupy the same volume. The table below gives the mass of various atoms in atomic mass units (AMU).
Notes:
The atomic mass of oxygen (O) is 16 AMU, while the molecular mass of oxygen gas (O2) is 32 AMU.
Remember, density is equal to mass/volume.
|
Atom
|
Mass (atomic
mass units
|
|
oxygen
|
16
|
|
nitrogen
|
14
|
|
hydrogen
|
1
|
From this information, determine whether moist air is less dense or more dense than dry air occupying the same volume. Be sure to include any calculations you make or the logic you used in coming up with your answer.*