Essay on ideal solutions, non-ideal solutions and Raoult’s law

Write an essay on ideal and non-ideal solution of two miscible liquids. In your essay, it should include the intermolecular forces, variation of vapour pressure and boiling point against composition of the solution.

Scheme of Work

IIdeal solutions(5 marks)

(a)Interaction of molecules in solution

- escaping tendency; H ; V in mixing

(b)Examples: benzene & methylbenzene; hexane & heptane ; two different esters

- structures, polarity, chemical properties of the components

(c)VP can be predicted by Raoult's Law

(d)Variation of VP of solution vs composition

- vapour is richer in more volatile component

(e)Variation of boiling point of solution vs composition

IINon-ideal solutions - positive deviation from ideality(5 marks)

(a)Interaction of molecules in solution

- escaping tendency; H ; V in mixing

(b)Examples: chloroform & propanone

- polarity, hydrogen bond

(c)VP lower than that predicted by Raoult's Law

(d)Variation of VP of solution vs composition

- minimum point, azotropic mixture

(e)Variation of boiling point of solution vs composition

- maximum point, azotropic mixture

(f)Fraction distillation

- incomplete separation of components in ideal solution

IINon-ideal solutions - negative deviation from ideality(2 marks)

Suggested Essay

What is an ideal solution?


An ideal solution is a mixture of liquids of similar chemical structures and polarities. For an example, a mixture of hexane and heptane is an ideal solution. Both hexane and heptane are hydrocarbons and non-polar molecules. When they are mixed together, it is found experimentally that the boiling points of mixtures varies almost linearly with composition of constituents. (3 x ½ M)

(½ M)

The boiling point-composition relationship can be explained in terms of their intermolecular forces. Since they have similar chemical structures and they are non-polar. Their intermolecular forces are van der Waals’ forces, so that

(½ M)

Since the intermolecular forces are similar, the escaping tendency of each component from the solution into vapour is the same as their respective escaping tendency in pure liquids. Tthe ideal solution obeys Raoult’s law. (½ M)

Raoult’s law states that the partial pressure of a component in an ideal solution is equal to the product of its mole fraction and the vapour pressure of the pure liquid at that temperature. (½ M)

For an ideal solution of A and B,

Partial pressure of A, PA = XA PAo

Partial pressure of B, PB = XB PBo

whereXA and XB= mole fraction of A and B respectively

PAo and PBo = vapour pressure of pure liquids A and B respectively

(½ M)

By Dalton's law of partial pressure, the total pressure over the solution AB is

PAB =Ptotal = PA + PB = XA PAo + XB PBo(½ M)


(½ M)

During the mixing process, molecules A try to get in between the molecules B. Energy is required to separate B and B; and A and A. However, energy releases as different molecules A and B come together. Since the interaction A-A, B-B and A-B are similar, there is no energy change , H  0 , or no volume change , V  0 , in mixing.

(2 x ½ M)

However, many liquids mixture do not obey Raoult’s law. In other words, they deviated from Raoult’s law. Deviations from Raoults law can be positive or negative.

Positive Deviation from Raoult’s Law

When cyclohexane and ethanol are mixed together, the vapour pressure is greater than that predicted by Raoult’s law. (2 x ½ M)

Partial pressure of cyclohexane (A), PA > XA PAo

Partial pressure of ethanol (B), PB > XB PBo

whereXA and XB= mole fraction of cyclohexane and ethanol respectively

PAo and PBo = vapour pressure of pure liquids cyclohexane

and ethanol respectively

In mixing cyclohexane and ethanol, cyclohexane molecules get in between the ethanol molecules. Many hydrogen bonds between ethanol molecules are broken up. Since there is only weak van der Waals' forces between different molecules. The total intermolecular forces in the solution are reduced and the boiling point of the solution is lower than expected. (3 x ½ M)


Therefore, the molecules in the mixture have higher escaping tendency. The total vapour pressure is greater than that predicted by Raoult’s law. (½ M)

(2 x ½ M)

Moreover, it requires more energy to break intermolecular hydrogen-bonds between ethanol molecules. The mixing process is endothermic (H > 0) and the temperature decreases. (½ M)

Besides, due to the weaker interaction, the total volume of solution increases (V > 0) in the mixing process. (½ M)

Negative Deviation from Raoult’s Law

When trichloromethane, CHCl3, and propanone are mixed together, the vapour pressure is lower than that predicted by Raoult’s law.

Partial pressure of trichloromethane (A), PA < XA PAo

Partial pressure of propanone (B), PB < XB PBo

whereXA and XB= mole fraction of CHCl3 and propanone respectively

PAo and PBo = vapour pressure of pure liquids CHCl3 and propanone

respectively

In pure liquids of trichloromethane and propanone, there are relative weak van der Waals’ forces. After mixing, hydrogen bonds are formed between trichloromethane and propanone molecules and the boiling point of the solution is higher.


Therefore, the molecules in the mixture have lower escaping tendency. The total vapour pressure is lower than that predicted by Raoult’s law.

Moreover, it releases more energy to form intermolecular hydrogen-bonds between propanone and trichloromethane molecules. The mixing process is exothermic (H < 0) and the temperature increases.

Besides, due to the stronger interaction, the total volume of solution decreases (V < 0) in the mixing process.