What term refers to the pressure exerted by a specific gas in a mixture of gases?

The term that refers to the pressure exerted by a specific gas in a mixture of gases is known as partial pressure. This concept is fundamental in understanding gas behavior in mixtures, as it defines the individual contribution of each gas present to the overall pressure of the mixture.

To elaborate, each gas in a mixture behaves independently and exerts its own pressure as if it were the only gas present. This is in line with Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures, which states that the total pressure of a gas mixture is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of the individual gases. In practical terms, the partial pressure of a gas can be crucial in various biological and chemical scenarios, such as respiration in organisms or the behavior of gases in different environments.

Other terms provided do not accurately define this relationship. Concentration refers to the amount of substance in a given volume, total pressure refers to the sum of all partial pressures in a mixture, and vapor pressure relates specifically to the pressure exerted by the vapor of a substance in equilibrium with its liquid or solid form. Each of these terms has its own importance in understanding gas behavior, but they do not capture the specific pressure exerted by an individual gas within a mixture.