When a nonvolatile solute is added to a liquid to form a solution, the vapor pressure above that solution decreases. To understand why that might occur, let's analyze the vaporization process of the pure solvent then do the same for a solution. Liquid molecules at the surface of a liquid can escape to the gas phase when they have a sufficient amount of energy to break free of the liquid's intermolecular forces. That vaporization process is reversible. Gaseous molecules coming into contact with the surface of a liquid can be trapped by intermolecular forces in the liquid. Eventually the rate of escape will equal the rate of capture to establish a constant, equilibrium vapor pressure above the pure liquid.
If we add a nonvolatile solute to that liquid, the amount of surface area available for the escaping solvent molecules is reduced because some of that area is occupied by solute particles. Therefore, the solvent molecules will have a lower probability to escape the solution than the pure solvent. That fact is reflected in the lower vapor pressure for a solution relative to the pure solvent. That statement is only true if the solvent is nonvolatile. If the solute has its own vapor pressure, then the vapor pressure of the solution may be greater than the vapor pressure of the solvent.
Note that we did not need to identify the nature of the solvent or the solute (except for its lack of volatility) to derive that the vapor pressure should be lower for a solution relative to the pure solvent. That is what makes vapor pressure lowering a colligative property--it only depends on the number of dissolved solute particles.
summarizes our discussion so far. On the surface of the pure solvent (shown on the left) there are more solvent molecules at the surface than in the right-hand solution flask. Therefore, it is more likely that solvent molecules escape into the gas phase on the left than on the right. Therefore, the solution should have a lower vapor pressure than the pure solvent.Figure %: The Vapor Pressure of a Solution is Lower than that of the Pure Solvent
The term for a cluster of solvent molecules surrounding a solute particle in solution is called a solvation shell. Solvation is the process in which solvent molecules surround and interact with solute particles, stabilizing them in the solution. The solvation shell is crucial for the dissolution and transport of solute particles in a solvent.
The first step in the dissolving process is "The solvent molecules surround the solute particles".
dissiolve the solute in the solvent and u have a solution.
The solid that dissolves in the solvent is called the solute. When the solute is added to the solvent, it disperses into individual molecules or ions that become surrounded by the solvent molecules, resulting in a homogenous mixture known as a solution.
In a basic saltwater solution, the water molecules would be the solvent and the salt molecules would be the solute.
The higher solvent concentration is where there are more solvent molecules relative to the solute molecules. This results in a more dilute solution with a lower solute concentration.
The term for a cluster of solvent molecules surrounding a solute particle in solution is called a solvation shell. Solvation is the process in which solvent molecules surround and interact with solute particles, stabilizing them in the solution. The solvation shell is crucial for the dissolution and transport of solute particles in a solvent.
Solvent
The first step in the dissolving process is "The solvent molecules surround the solute particles".
dissiolve the solute in the solvent and u have a solution.
The solid that dissolves in the solvent is called the solute. When the solute is added to the solvent, it disperses into individual molecules or ions that become surrounded by the solvent molecules, resulting in a homogenous mixture known as a solution.
Adding solute molecules such as salt or sugar to a solvent like water will lower the freezing point of the solution compared to the pure solvent. This occurs because the presence of these solute molecules disrupts the regular arrangement of solvent molecules, making it more difficult for the solvent to freeze.
A concentrated solution is one that has a relatively large amount of solute dissolved in the solvent. This means that there is a higher proportion of solute particles compared to solvent particles in the solution. The concentration of the solute is higher in a concentrated solution.
In a basic saltwater solution, the water molecules would be the solvent and the salt molecules would be the solute.
The solution with the higher concentration of solvent compared to another solution would be the one with a lower concentration of solute. The solvent concentration is higher in the solution where the solute concentration is lower.
A solution with a large amount of solute compared to solvent is described as concentrated. This means that there is a high ratio of solute to solvent molecules in the mixture.
The dissolved particles in a solution containing a molecular solute are individual molecules of the solute. These molecules are dispersed and surrounded by the solvent molecules, forming a homogenous mixture.