Question

The volatile liquid mercaptoethanol (HSCH2CH2OH) has a highly disagreeable odor which can be detected when the compound has a partial pressure above 2.5 x 10-7 mm Hg. How many milligrams of this substance spilled and vaporized in a 5m x 15m x 20m conference room will result in the entire room smelling foul?

Answer 1

We can calculate the milligrams of this substance spilled ( mass of mercaptoethanol) by using ideal gas equation( PV= nRT). As volume occupied by gas will be volume of room and pressure at which disagreeable odor which can be detected, is given .