Question
What is the effect of pressure on the solubility of a gas in a liquid?
Or
State Henry's Law.
Solution
The effect of pressure on the solubility of a gas in the liquid was studied by Henry. This law states that the mass of a gas dissolved in a given mass of solvent at any temperature is directly proportional to the pressure of the gas above the solvent, i.e.
or
where K is constant of proportionality and called Henry's constant.
As the pressure of the system (liquid and gas above the liquid surface in the container) increases, the gas above the liquid surface undergoes a contraction in volume. In other words, the volume of the gas per unit area will decrease. As a result, the gas molecules have a greater tendency to get condensed and get absorbed by the liquid. Hence solubility of gas increases with the increase of pressure.
or
where K is constant of proportionality and called Henry's constant.
As the pressure of the system (liquid and gas above the liquid surface in the container) increases, the gas above the liquid surface undergoes a contraction in volume. In other words, the volume of the gas per unit area will decrease. As a result, the gas molecules have a greater tendency to get condensed and get absorbed by the liquid. Hence solubility of gas increases with the increase of pressure.
