How do you calculate the density of a gas mixture?

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Calculating the density of a gas mixture involves understanding how the individual components contribute to the overall mixture. The correct approach is to consider both the mass of each gas and their respective contributions to the total volume.

The formula provided in the correct answer involves multiplying the percentage of each gas by its gram molecular weight (gmw), which gives the weighted contribution of each gas to the total mass of the mixture. By summing these contributions for all gases present, you calculate the total mass of the gas mixture. This total mass is then divided by the ideal molar volume, which is the volume occupied by one mole of a gas at standard temperature and pressure (STP).

This method adheres to the principles of Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures and the Ideal Gas Law, ensuring you account for the partial contributions of each component in the mixture. Therefore, the density of the gas mixture can be accurately determined using this approach, leading to a precise representation of the mixture's characteristics.

Other options do not properly account for the mass contributions of the gases or misuse mathematical operations, leading to inaccurate calculations of density.