Answer:
Mole fraction of methane is 0,8624
Explanation:
The complete combustion of methane gas and pentane gas is:
CH₄(g) + 2O₂(g) → CO₂(g) + 2H₂O(g)
C₅H₁₂(g) + 8O₂(g) → 5CO₂(g) + 6H₂O(g)
The initial pressure is 0,5799atm, that is the sum of partial pressures of methane and pentane gases:
[tex]P_{initial} = P_{methane} + P_{pentane}[/tex]
0,5799atm = x + y (1)
Where x is partial pressure of methane and y is partial pressure of pentane.
As x moles of methane produce x moles of CO₂ and 2x moles of H₂O and y moles of pentane produce 5y moles of CO₂ and 6y moles of H₂O, it is possible to write:
2,378atm = x + 2x + 5y + 6y
2,378atm = 3x + 11y (2)
Now, replacing (1) in (2):
2,378atm = 1,7397atm - 3y + 11y
0,6383atm = 8y
y = 0,0798 atm
x = 0,5001 atm
The partial pressure of methane over total initial pressure will be the mole fraction of methane:
[tex]\frac{0,5001}{0,5799}[/tex] = 0,8624
I hope it helps!