Question

Raoult's law for volatile liquids states that the partial vapour pressure of each component in the solution is directly proportional to its mole fraction, whereas for a non-volatile solute, it states that the vapour pressure of a solution of a non-volatile solute is equal to the vapour pressure of the pure solvent at that temperature multiplied by its mole fraction. Two liquids A and B are mixed with each other to form a solution, the vapour phase consists of both components of the solution. Once the components in the solution have reached equilibrium, the total vapour pressure of the solution can be determined by combining Raoult's law with Dalton's law of partial pressures. If a non-volatile solute B is dissolved into a solvent A to form a solution, the vapour pressure of the solution will be lower than that of the pure solvent. The solutions which obey Raoult's law over the entire range of concentration are ideal solutions, whereas the solutions for which vapour pressure is either higher or lower than that predicted by Raoult's law are called non-ideal solutions. Non-ideal solutions are identified by determining the strength of the intermolecular forces between the different molecules in that particular solution. They can either show positive or negative deviation from Raoult's law depending on whether the A – B interactions in solution are stronger or weaker than A – A and B – B interactions. Answer the following questions :