I need to purge a tank of air and need to know if the nitrogen will sink to the bottom of any remaining air.
2007-01-31 16:59:01 · 7 answers · asked by grantm880 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
density of nitrogen = 1.251 g/L at 0 °C and 101.325 kPa
density of air = 1.293 g /L at 0 °C and 101.325 kPa
2007-01-31 17:07:25 · answer #1 · answered by Dr W 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nitrogen is a tad lighter than air. The Density of N2 is 1.25 g/L, while air is about 1.29 g/L.
However, AIR is a HOMOGENEOUS mixture consisting of about 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen and the rest other elements and Water vapor.
Now, at "normal pressures" or atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature, the air trapped inside the tank is still a homogeneous mixture of gases, and therefore nothing will separate out or settle.
However, if the temperatures starts to go down, say 0 C (centigrade) or 32 F, the water vapor will start to liquefy from its vapor state and settle or even ice up. At further low temperatures, say at minus 210 C, the nitrogen will liquefy and settle and at minus 218, the oxygen will liquefy and settle also.
But under ordinary conditions - not high pressure or low temperatures, the nitrogen will not sink to the bottom.
I think I answered this question already long time ago. You may do a search for similar questions. You may get additional info there also.
2007-01-31 18:12:24 · answer #2 · answered by Aldo 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nitrogen is just a little bit lighter than air. Air is comprised of about 78% Nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Oxygen is the heavier of the two.
Purge the tank with air if you are using it as an air tank just as they purge a propane tank with propane.
2007-01-31 17:10:00 · answer #3 · answered by Jack 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let us look at this logically: N2 has molar mass = 14*2 = 28g/mol O2 has molar mass = 16*2 = 32g/mol Air is essentially a mixture of 80% N2 and 20% O2 plus some CO2 (MM = 44g/mol) and some trace gases. So to sum up: Air must have an average molar mass between 28g/mol and 32g/mol. The accepted average is 29.5g/mol Nitrogen is therefore lighter than air.
2016-05-24 00:57:13 · answer #4 · answered by Megan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nitrogen is heavier than air. Go ahead with your tank purging
2007-01-31 17:10:32 · answer #5 · answered by jayaraman n--chemm 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes, Nitrogen is heavier than air.
2007-01-31 18:20:53 · answer #6 · answered by Mr.McLaren 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
um... I think nitrogen is a pretty large percentage of the atmosphere, so that'd be, neither.
2007-01-31 17:02:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋