In steam distillation of toluene, the pressure of toluene in vapour is
- equal to pressure of barometer
- less than pressure of barometer
- equal to vapour pressure of toluene in simple distillation
- more than vapour pressure of toluene in simple distillation.
Answer
(2) less than pressure of barometer
Solution
As per NCERT, in steam distillation the liquid boils when the sum of the vapour pressures of the organic liquid and of water becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure:
ptoluene + pwater = patm
⇒ ptoluene = patm - pwater
∴ The pressure of toluene in the vapour is less than the barometric (atmospheric) pressure, so toluene distils below its normal boiling point.
Answer: (2)