Vapour density
Vapour density is the density of a vapour in relation to that of hydrogen. It may be defined as mass of a certain volume of a substance divided by mass of same volume of hydrogen.
- vapour density = mass of n molecules of gas / mass of n molecules of hydrogen gas .
- vapour density = molar mass of gas / molar mass of H2
- vapour density = molar mass of gas / 2.01568
- vapour density = 1⁄2 × molar mass
(and thus: molar mass = ~2 × vapour density) For example, vapour density of mixture of NO2 and N2O4 is 38.3. Vapour density is a dimensionless quantity.
Vapour density = density of gas / density of hydrogen (H2)
Alternative definition
[edit]In many web sources, particularly in relation to safety considerations at commercial and industrial facilities in the U.S., vapour density is defined with respect to air, not hydrogen.[1] Air is given a vapour density of one. For this use, air has a molecular weight of 28.97 atomic mass units, and all other gas and vapour molecular weights are divided by this number to derive their vapour density.[2] For example, acetone has a vapour density of 2[3] in relation to air. That means acetone vapour is twice as heavy as air. This can be seen by dividing the molecular weight of Acetone, 58.1[4] by that of air, 28.97, which equals 2.
With this definition, the vapour density would indicate whether a gas is denser (greater than one) or less dense (less than one) than air. The density has implications for container storage and personnel safety—if a container can release a dense gas, its vapour could sink and, if flammable, collect until it is at a concentration sufficient for ignition. Even if not flammable, it could collect in the lower floor or level of a confined space and displace air, possibly presenting an asphyxiation hazard to individuals entering the lower part of that space.
See also
[edit]- Relative density (also known as specific gravity)
- Victor Meyer apparatus
References
[edit]- ^ MSDS Glossary of Terms – Vapour Density. Msdsonline.com. Retrieved on 2012-02-09.
- ^ HazMat Math: Calculating Vapor Density Archived 2011-07-11 at the Wayback Machine. Firenuggets.com. Retrieved on 2012-02-09.
- ^ "MSDS: Acetone". hazard.com. 1998-04-21. Archived from the original on 2021-09-23. Retrieved 2012-02-09.
- ^ NIOSH Pocket Guide: Acetone. Cdc.gov. Retrieved on 2012-02-09.
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