The solubility and isotopic fractionation of gases in dilute aqueous solution. IIa. solubilities of the noble gases

A method for the analysis of precise gas solubility data is presented and applied to new determinations of the Henry constant, k₂, for He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe. The values of k₂ are fitted to the same sets of temperature functions which we have tried for oxygen. Our previously proposed power series in 1/T, ln(k_2/P)=a₀+a₁/T+a₂/T² (Mark I), gives the best 3-term fit within the temperature range 0–60°C. For use over the full range to the critical temperature of water, we have discovered a new function given by (T^*)²ln(k_2/P)=A₀(T^*)²+A₁(1-T^*)^1/3+A₂(1-T^*)^2/3(Mark II), where T^*T/T_c1. It fits our data from 0–60°C nearly as well as Mark I; it fits high temperature data from other sources; and at the critical temperature of water it satisfies theoretical requirements. Expansion of Mark II reveals the relationship between Mark II and Mark I and leads to a 4-term smoothing function, ln(k_2/P)=a_–2(T^*)^–2+a_–1(T^*)^–1+a₀+a₁T^* (Mark III), which we believe gives the best values only for the 0–60°C range. Mark III is used to calculate values for, and, 0–60°C, and a procedure is empolyed to estimate the errors. Agreement is excellent between these results and those obtained from precise microcalorimetric measurements made by others. With the inclusion of pressure correction terms, Mark II yields the four thermodynamic function changes for use at high temperatures. With increasing temperature, these changes suddenly turn upward toward plus infinity as T_c1 is approached. Essentially direct determinations of for argon by other workers are in excellent agreement with our results. The symmetrical activity coefficient at infinite dilution, ₂^° is examined and the hypothetical properties of k₂ are explored below 0°C. Mark II can be expressed in the reduced form (T^*)²ln(k₂^*)=A₁(1-T^*)^1/3+A₂(1-T^*)^2/3, where k₂^*k₂/(p_c12c1). A₂ is a very good linear fit to A₁, which suggests a characteristic temperature for water at 287.3 K.