This example problem demonstrates how to use Raoult's Law to calculate the change in vapor pressure by adding a strong electrolyte to a solvent. Raoult's Law relates the vapor pressure of a solution on the mole fraction of the solute added to a chemical solution.
Vapor Pressure Problem
What is the change in vapor pressure when 52.9 g of CuCl2 is added to 800 mL of H2O at 52.0 °C.
The vapor pressure of pure H 2O at 52.0 °C is 102.1 torr
The density of H2O at 52.0 °C is 0.987 g/mL.
Solution Using Raoult's Law
Raoult's Law can be used to express the vapor pressure relationships of solutions containing both volatile and nonvolatile solvents. Raoult's Law is expressed by
Psolution = ΧsolventP0solvent where
Psolution is the vapor pressure of the solution
Χsolvent is mole fraction of the solvent
P0solvent is the vapor pressure of the pure solvent
Step 1
Determine the mole fraction of solution
CuCl2 is a strong electrolyte. It will completely dissociate into ions in water by the reaction:
CuCl2(s) → Cu2+(aq) + 2 Cl-
This means we will have 3 moles of solute added for every mole of CuCl2 added.
From the periodic table:
Cu = 63.55 g/mol
Cl = 35.45 g/mol
molar weight of CuCl2 = 63.55 + 2(35.45) g/mol
molar weight of CuCl2 = 63.55 + 70.9 g/mol
molar weight of CuCl2 = 134.45 g/mol
moles of CuCl2 = 52.9 g x 1 mol/134.45 g
moles of CuCl2 = 0.39 mol
Total moles of solute = 3 x (0.39 mol)
Total moles of solute = 1.18 mol
molar weightwater = 2(1)+16 g/mol
molar weightwater = 18 g/mol
densitywater = masswater/volumewater
masswater = densitywater x volumewater
masswater = 0.987 g/mL x 800 mL
masswater = 789.6 g
moleswater = 789.6 g x 1 mol/18 g
moleswater = 43.87 mol
Χsolution = nwater/(nwater + nsolute)
Χsolution = 43.87/(43.87 + 1.18)
Χsolution = 43.87/45.08
Χsolution = 0.97
Step 2
Find the vapor pressure of the solution
Psolution = ΧsolventP0solvent
Psolution = 0.97 x 102.1 torr
Psolution = 99.0 torr
Step 3
Find the change in vapor pressure
Change in pressure is Pfinal - PO
Change = 99.0 torr - 102.1 torr
change = -3.1 torr
Answer
The vapor pressure of the water is reduced by 3.1 torr with the addition of the CuCl2.