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Ideal And Non-ideal Solutions

Mediumchemistry

Which of the following pairs of liquids is expected to show a positive deviation from Raoult's law and why?

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About This Question

Subject
chemistry
Chapter
solutions
Topic
ideal and non-ideal solutions
Difficulty
Medium
Year
2025
Tags
positive deviationRaoult's lawnon-ideal solutionsintermolecular forceshydrogen bonding

Solution

Correct Answer:

Ethanol and water, because H-bonding decreases in solution compared to pure components

Non-ideal solutions deviate from Raoult's law when intermolecular forces between unlike molecules differ from those between like molecules. A positive deviation occurs when A–B interactions are weaker than A–A and B–B interactions, meaning molecules escape more easily into the vapour phase, raising the vapour pressure above the Raoult's law prediction. Ethanol and water: in pure form, both substances have extensive hydrogen bonding. Upon mixing, the A–B (ethanol–water) hydrogen bonds are weaker than the original H-bonds in the pure liquids, reducing cohesive forces and causing positive deviation. Acetone–chloroform (Option A) shows negative deviation because a new H-bond forms between C=O of acetone and C–H of chloroform, increasing interactions. Benzene–toluene (Option B) are nearly ideal because their structures are similar, not a deviation example. Acetone–water (Option D) actually shows slight positive deviation, but the stated reason about strengthening interactions is incorrect — positive deviation arises from weakening, not strengthening. This concept is directly covered in NCERT Chapter 2 under non-ideal solutions. Plausibility check: a mixture that shows positive deviation has a maximum in the vapour pressure-composition curve, often forming a minimum-boiling azeotrope.

This medium difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter solutions, covering the topic of ideal and non-ideal solutions. It appeared in the 2025 exam.

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