Which of the following statements about the composition of the vapour over an ideal 1 : 1 molar mixture of benzene and toluene is correct? Assume that the temperature is constant at 25 . (Given, vapour pressure data at 25 , benzene = 12.8 kPa, toluene = 3.85 kPa)
- The vapour will contain equal amounts of benzene and toluene.
- Not enough information is given to make a prediction.
- The vapour will contain a higher percentage of benzene.
- The vapour will contain a higher percentage of toluene
Answer
(3) The vapour will contain a higher percentage of benzene.
Solution
For a 1 : 1 molar mixture, xB = xT = 0.5.
By Raoult's law:
pB = xB pB = 0.5 12.8 = 6.4 kPa
pT = xT pT = 0.5 3.85 = 1.925 kPa
Mole fraction of benzene in vapour:
yB = pBpB + pT = 6.48.325 = 0.77
∴ The vapour contains about 77% benzene, i.e. it is richer in the more volatile component, benzene.
Answer: (3)