Chemistry · The vapour pressure of solutions and Raoult's Law - Ideal and non-ideal solutions, vapour pressure composition, plots for ideal and non-ideal solutions

An aqueous solution of methanol in water has vapour pressure:

An aqueous solution of methanol in water has vapour pressure:

  • A. equal to that of water
  • B. equal to that of methanol
  • C. more than that of water
  • D. less than that of water

Step-by-step solution

In an aqueous solution of methanol, both components are volatile. Methanol has a higher vapour pressure than water at a given temperature. According to Raoult's law, the total vapour pressure of the solution is the sum of the partial pressures of each component, which are proportional to their mole fractions. Since methanol's vapour pressure is higher than water's, adding methanol increases the total vapour pressure above that of pure water. Thus, the solution's vapour pressure is more than that of water.
Practise more in this unitView MCQsSign up for full question bank