Define Raoult's law. Define each term in the equation representing Raoult's law, and give its units. What is an ideal solution?

Short Answer

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Raoult's law is the law that defines the vapor pressure of a solution of non-volatile solute and a solvent. The equation of Raoult's law is \(P_A = x_A * P^0_A\), where \(P_A\) is the partial pressure of component A, \(x_A\) is the mole fraction of component A, and \(P^0_A\) is vapour pressure of the pure component A. An ideal solution is the one that adheres to Raoult's law for all temperatures and concentrations.

Step by step solution

01

Define Raoult's Law

Raoult's law states that the partial vapor pressure of each component of an ideal mixture of liquids is directly proportional to the mole fraction of the component in the liquid mixture.
02

Presenting the Equation of Raoult's Law

Raoult's law is represented by the equation \(P_A = x_A * P^0_A\), where:\n\n\(P_A\) is the partial pressure of the component A in the vapour phase, \n\n\(x_A\) is the mole fraction of A in the liquid phase, and \n\n\(P^0_A\) is the vapour pressure of the pure component A.
03

Define the Terms in the Equation and their Units

- Partial Pressure (\(P_A\)): It is the pressure that component A would exert if it occupied the total volume alone at the same temperature. The SI unit for pressure is pascals (Pa).\n- Mole Fraction (\(x_A\)): It is the ratio of the number of moles of component A to the total number of moles of the solution. It is unitless as it is a ratio.\n- Vapour Pressure of Pure Component (\(P^0_A\)): It is the pressure exerted by the vapour of that component when it is in equilibrium with its pure liquid at a given temperature. It has the same unit as pressure.
04

Define Ideal Solution

An ideal solution is a solution that follows Raoult's Law across the entire range of temperatures and concentrations. In an ideal solution, the interactions between the particles of the solvent and the solute are identical to each other.

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