Problem 108 - Chemistry The Molecular Science

Question

Air mostly consists of diatomic molecules of nitrogen (about \(80 \%\) ) and oxygen (about \(20 \%\) ). Draw a nanoscale picture of a sample of air that contains a total of 10 molecules.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Draw 8 nitrogen molecules and 2 oxygen molecules.

Step 1: Understand the Molecules

Air is primarily composed of nitrogen gas (N2) and oxygen gas (O2). Nitrogen molecules (N2) make up about 80% of the air, while oxygen molecules (O2) make up about 20%.

Step 2: Calculate the Number of Each Molecule

Since we need to draw a nanoscale picture containing 10 molecules, we calculate the number of nitrogen and oxygen molecules based on their percentages. For nitrogen, 80% of 10 is 8 molecules. For oxygen, 20% of 10 is 2 molecules.

Step 3: Draw the Nanoscale Picture

To represent the air sample, draw 8 N2 molecules symbolized by pairs of connected nitrogen atoms and 2 O2 molecules represented by pairs of connected oxygen atoms. These should be randomly scattered to depict a typical distribution of these gases.

Key Concepts

Diatomic Molecules

Diatomic molecules are molecules composed of two atoms. In the context of the Earth's atmosphere, the most abundant diatomic molecules are nitrogen ( \( \text{N}_2 \) ) and oxygen ( \( \text{O}_2 \) ). These molecules are significant because they make up the vast majority of the air we breathe, contributing to essential processes like respiration and combustion.
Nitrogen molecules consist of two nitrogen atoms bonded together. This bond is particularly strong and requires considerable energy to break, making nitrogen relatively inert under normal conditions. Oxygen molecules, on the other hand, contain two oxygen atoms bonded together. This molecule is more reactive than nitrogen and plays a crucial role in sustaining life through its involvement in combustion and metabolism.
Understanding these diatomic molecules is pivotal for comprehending how air functions as a medium of life and energy.

Air Molecule Distribution

Air is a mixture, and its composition remains relatively consistent near the Earth's surface. In this blend:

• Nitrogen molecules constitute about 80% of the atmosphere.
• Oxygen molecules make up roughly 20% of the air.

When visualizing air on a smaller scale, it helps to consider these percentages to get a clearer picture of its composition. For instance, if we represent 10 air molecules based on this distribution: - 8 molecules would be nitrogen ( \( \text{N}_2 \) ).- 2 molecules would be oxygen ( \( \text{O}_2 \) ).This distribution illustrates the abundance of nitrogen relative to oxygen, explaining why reactions involving oxygen are more noticeable, even though nitrogen is more prevalent. Understanding this molecular distribution provides insights into chemical interactions and atmospheric processes.

Nanoscale Representation

Representing air molecules on a nanoscale provides a visual perspective of how nitrogen and oxygen populate our atmosphere. Imagine trying to draw a picture of air with only 10 molecules.
You would distribute these molecules to reflect the realistic atmospheric composition:

• Draw 8 pairs of nitrogen atoms ( \( \text{N}_2 \) ), each symbolizing a nitrogen molecule.
• Include 2 pairs of oxygen atoms ( \( \text{O}_2 \) ), representing oxygen molecules.

These pairs should be depicted as being intertwined and randomly distributed, emulating the natural randomness found in gaseous mixtures.
This nanoscale perspective not only helps with understanding the structure of air but also assists in visualizing how gas molecules behave and interact at the atomic level. Such representations are crucial for educating about molecule behavior in various conditions and scientific environments.