What principle applies to individual gases in a mixture regarding their behavior?

The principle that applies to individual gases in a mixture regarding their behavior is that they behave as if they occupy the container alone. This is rooted in Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures, which states that in a mixture of gases, each gas exerts a pressure independently of the others. This means that each gas contributes to the total pressure of the system as if it were the only gas present.

In a gas mixture, although the gases may interact due to collisions, each gas moves freely and its behavior can be described using the ideal gas laws, which treat each gas as though it were alone in the container. The partial pressure of each gas is a result of its own mole fraction and the total pressure of the mixture. This principle is crucial for understanding gas behavior in various applications, including diving, where the pressures that different gases exert can significantly affect physiological responses and required calculations for safe diving practices.