NCERT Solutions · Class 12 Chemistry · NCERT Chemistry Part I and II Part I · Chapter 1
Chapter 1: Solutions (Physical Chemistry)
Step-by-step solutions to all 12 intext questions and 41 exercises of Chapter 1, Solutions (NCERT Class 12 Chemistry Part I, 2026-27): mass percentage, mole fraction, molarity and molality, Henry's law, Raoult's law and vapour pressure, ideal and non-ideal solutions, colligative properties, molar mass from freezing point and osmotic pressure, and the van't Hoff factor. All 53 questions are answered, with the key answer highlighted.
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Molarity M=L of solutionmol of solute; molality m=kg of solventmol of solute. Henry's law: p=KHx. Raoult's law: pA=pA∘xA; relative lowering p∘p∘−p=x2≈n1n2 (dilute). ΔTb=iKbm, ΔTf=iKfm, Π=iCRT (R=0.0821 L atm K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ or 8.314 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹). Molar mass from a colligative property: M2=ΔTw1Kw2×1000.
Calculate the mass percentage of benzene (CX6HX6) and carbon tetrachloride (CClX4) if 22 g of benzene is dissolved in 122 g of carbon tetrachloride.
Calculate the molarity of each of the following solutions: (a) 30 g of Co(NOX3)X2⋅6HX2O in 4.3 L of solution (b) 30 mL of 0.5 M HX2SOX4 diluted to 500 mL.
Solution
(a) Molar mass of Co(NOX3)X2⋅6HX2O=58.9+2(62)+6(18)≈291 g mol⁻¹.
n=29130=0.103 mol; M=4.30.103≈0.024 M.
(b) Moles of acid do not change on dilution: M1V1=M2V2:
HX2S, a toxic gas with rotten egg like smell, is used for the qualitative analysis. If the solubility of HX2S in water at STP is 0.195 m, calculate Henry's law constant.
Solution
0.195 mol of HX2S in 1 kg (55.56 mol) of water:
x=0.195+55.560.195≈3.50×10−3
At STP, p=0.987 bar. KH=xp=3.50×10−30.987≈282 bar.
Henry's law constant for COX2 in water is 1.67×108 Pa at 298 K. Calculate the quantity of COX2 in 500 mL of soda water when packed under 2.5 atm COX2 pressure at 298 K.
Solution
p=2.5×1.01325×105=2.533×105 Pa.
x=KHp=1.67×1082.533×105=1.517×10−3.
500 mL of water ≈ 500 g ≈ 27.78 mol. For such a small x, n(COX2)≈x×n(water)=1.517×10−3×27.78=0.0421 mol.
The vapour pressure of pure liquids A and B are 450 and 700 mm Hg respectively, at 350 K. Find out the composition of the liquid mixture if total vapour pressure is 600 mm Hg. Also find the composition of the vapour phase.
Solution
Liquid:p=pA∘xA+pB∘(1−xA):
600=450xA+700(1−xA), so 250xA=100, xA=0.40, xB=0.60.
Vapour pressure of pure water at 298 K is 23.8 mm Hg. 50 g of urea (NHX2CONHX2) is dissolved in 850 g of water. Calculate the vapour pressure of water for this solution and its relative lowering.
Calculate the mass of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C, CX6HX8OX6) to be dissolved in 75 g of acetic acid to lower its melting point by 1.5°C. Kf=3.9 K kg mol⁻¹.
Solution
m=KfΔTf=3.91.5=0.385 mol kg⁻¹. In 75 g: 0.385×0.075=0.0288 mol.
Molar mass of CX6HX8OX6=176 g mol⁻¹: mass =0.0288×176≈5.08 g.
Calculate the osmotic pressure in pascals exerted by a solution prepared by dissolving 1.0 g of polymer of molar mass 185,000 in 450 mL of water at 37°C.
Solution
n=1850001.0=5.41×10−6 mol; V=450 mL =4.5×10−4 m³; T=310 K.
Define the term solution. How many types of solutions are formed? Write briefly about each type with an example.
Solution
A solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances whose composition can vary within limits. The component present in the larger amount is the solvent; the others are solutes.
A solute and a solvent can each be a gas, a liquid or a solid, so there are nine types of solutions:
Type
Solute
Solvent
Example
Gaseous solutions
Gas
Gas
Mixture of oxygen and nitrogen
Liquid
Gas
Chloroform mixed with nitrogen gas
Solid
Gas
Camphor in nitrogen gas
Liquid solutions
Gas
Liquid
Oxygen dissolved in water
Liquid
Liquid
Ethanol dissolved in water
Solid
Liquid
Glucose dissolved in water
Solid solutions
Gas
Solid
Hydrogen in palladium
Liquid
Solid
Amalgam of mercury with sodium
Solid
Solid
Copper dissolved in gold
A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; nine types (gaseous, liquid and solid solutions, each with a gas, liquid or solid solute), as in the table.
Define the following terms: (i) Mole fraction (ii) Molality (iii) Molarity (iv) Mass percentage.
Solution
(i) Mole fraction of a component: moles of that component divided by the total moles of all components. xA=nA+nB+…nA (no unit; all mole fractions add to 1).
(ii) Molality (m): moles of solute per kilogram of solvent. Unit mol kg⁻¹; it does not change with temperature.
(iii) Molarity (M): moles of solute per litre of solution. Unit mol L⁻¹; it changes slightly with temperature (volume changes).
(iv) Mass percentage: mass of a component per 100 g of solution: total mass of solutionmass of component×100.
Concentrated nitric acid used in laboratory work is 68% nitric acid by mass in aqueous solution. What should be the molarity of such a sample of the acid if the density of the solution is 1.504 g mL⁻¹?
Solution
In 100 g of solution: 68 g HNOX3=6368=1.079 mol.
Volume of 100 g of solution =1.504100=66.5 mL =0.0665 L.
A solution of glucose in water is labelled as 10% w/w, what would be the molality and mole fraction of each component in the solution? If the density of solution is 1.2 g mL⁻¹, then what shall be the molarity of the solution?
Solution
In 100 g: 10 g glucose =18010=0.0556 mol; 90 g water =5.0 mol.
Molality =0.0900.0556≈0.617 mol kg⁻¹
xglucose=5.05560.0556≈0.011, xwater≈0.989
Volume =1.2100=83.3 mL, molarity =0.08330.0556≈0.67 M
m ≈ 0.617 mol kg⁻¹; x(glucose) ≈ 0.011, x(water) ≈ 0.989; M ≈ 0.67 mol L⁻¹.
An antifreeze solution is prepared from 222.6 g of ethylene glycol (CX2HX6OX2) and 200 g of water. Calculate the molality of the solution. If the density of the solution is 1.072 g mL⁻¹, then what shall be the molarity of the solution?
Solution
n=62222.6=3.59 mol.
Molality =0.2003.59≈17.95 mol kg⁻¹.
Mass of solution =422.6 g; volume =1.072422.6=394.2 mL. Molarity =0.39423.59≈9.11 M.
A sample of drinking water was found to be severely contaminated with chloroform (CHClX3) supposed to be a carcinogen. The level of contamination was 15 ppm (by mass): (i) express this in percent by mass (ii) determine the molality of chloroform in the water sample.
Solution
15 ppm = 15 g of chloroform in 106 g of solution.
(i)10615×100=1.5×10−3%.
(ii)n=119.515=0.1255 mol in about 106 g =1000 kg of water:
What role does the molecular interaction play in a solution of alcohol and water?
Solution
Both alcohol and water are hydrogen-bonded liquids. When they mix, the new alcohol–water hydrogen bonds are weaker than the original water–water and alcohol–alcohol interactions. So molecules escape more easily, the vapour pressure is higher than Raoult's law predicts, and the solution shows positive deviation. (The mixing is slightly endothermic, and ethanol and water form a minimum-boiling azeotrope at about 95% ethanol.)
Alcohol–water interactions are weaker than in the pure liquids, so the solution shows positive deviation from Raoult's law.
Why do gases always tend to be less soluble in liquids as the temperature is raised?
Solution
Dissolving a gas in a liquid is an exothermic process (gas + liquid ⇌ solution + heat). By Le Chatelier's principle, raising the temperature shifts this equilibrium backwards, so less gas stays dissolved. (Also, the gas molecules have more kinetic energy and escape more easily.)
Dissolution of a gas is exothermic, so heating shifts the equilibrium back and solubility falls.
State Henry's law and mention some important applications.
Solution
Henry's law: at constant temperature, the solubility of a gas in a liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of the gas above the liquid. In terms of mole fraction: p=KHx.
Applications:
Soft drinks and soda water are bottled under high COX2 pressure to dissolve more COX2.
Scuba divers breathe air diluted with helium to avoid "the bends" (nitrogen dissolved at high pressure forms bubbles in the blood when they surface).
At high altitudes the low partial pressure of oxygen means less oxygen in the blood, causing weakness (anoxia).
Solubility of a gas ∝ its partial pressure (p=KHx); used in bottling soft drinks, deep-sea diving gas mixtures, and explains anoxia at high altitude.
The partial pressure of ethane over a solution containing 6.56×10−3 g of ethane is 1 bar. If the solution contains 5.00×10−2 g of ethane, then what shall be the partial pressure of the gas?
Solution
By Henry's law, the amount dissolved is proportional to the partial pressure:
What is meant by positive and negative deviations from Raoult's law and how is the sign of ΔmixH related to positive and negative deviations from Raoult's law?
Solution
Positive deviation: the vapour pressure of the solution is higher than Raoult's law predicts. The A–B attractions are weaker than A–A and B–B attractions, so molecules escape more easily. Mixing absorbs heat: ΔmixH>0 (and ΔmixV>0). Example: ethanol + acetone.
Negative deviation: the vapour pressure is lower than predicted. The A–B attractions are stronger than A–A and B–B, so molecules escape less easily. Mixing releases heat: ΔmixH<0 (and ΔmixV<0). Example: chloroform + acetone.
An aqueous solution of 2% non-volatile solute exerts a pressure of 1.004 bar at the normal boiling point of the solvent. What is the molar mass of the solute?
Solution
At the normal boiling point of water, p∘=1.013 bar. In 100 g of solution: 2 g solute and 98 g water.
p∘p∘−p=n1n2⇒1.0131.013−1.004=98/182/M2
0.00888=98M22×18, so M2=98×0.0088836≈41.35 g mol⁻¹.
Heptane and octane form an ideal solution. At 373 K, the vapour pressures of the two liquid components are 105.2 kPa and 46.8 kPa respectively. What will be the vapour pressure of a mixture of 26.0 g of heptane and 35 g of octane?
A solution containing 30 g of non-volatile solute exactly in 90 g of water has a vapour pressure of 2.8 kPa at 298 K. Further, 18 g of water is then added to the solution and the new vapour pressure becomes 2.9 kPa at 298 K. Calculate: (i) molar mass of the solute (ii) vapour pressure of water at 298 K.
Solution
Let the molar mass be M, so n2=M30. Water: 90 g = 5 mol, then 108 g = 6 mol. Using p∘p∘−p=n1n2:
First solution: 1−p∘2.8=5n2, so n2=5−p∘14
After adding water: 1−p∘2.9=6n2, so n2=6−p∘17.4
Equating: 5−p∘14=6−p∘17.4, so p∘3.4=1 and p∘=3.4 kPa.
Then n2=5−3.414=0.882 mol and M=0.88230≈34 g mol⁻¹.
A 5% solution (by mass) of cane sugar in water has freezing point of 271 K. Calculate the freezing point of 5% glucose in water if freezing point of pure water is 273.15 K.
Solution
Both solutions have 5 g of solute in 95 g of water, so ΔTf∝M1.
Two elements A and B form compounds having formula ABX2 and ABX4. When dissolved in 20 g of benzene (CX6HX6), 1 g of ABX2 lowers the freezing point by 2.3 K whereas 1.0 g of ABX4 lowers it by 1.3 K. The molar depression constant for benzene is 5.1 K kg mol⁻¹. Calculate atomic masses of A and B.
Solution
M=ΔTfw1Kfw2×1000:
M(ABX2)=2.3×205.1×1×1000≈110.9 g mol⁻¹
M(ABX4)=1.3×205.1×1×1000≈196.2 g mol⁻¹
So A+2B=110.9 and A+4B=196.2. Subtracting: 2B=85.3, B≈42.6; then A≈25.6.
At 300 K, 36 g of glucose present in a litre of its solution has an osmotic pressure of 4.98 bar. If the osmotic pressure of the solution is 1.52 bars at the same temperature, what would be its concentration?
Solution
Π=CRT, so at the same temperature Π∝C. C1=18036=0.20 M.
Suggest the most important type of intermolecular attractive interaction in the following pairs. (i) n-hexane and n-octane (ii) IX2 and CClX4 (iii) NaClOX4 and water (iv) methanol and acetone (v) acetonitrile (CHX3CN) and acetone (CX3HX6O).
Solution
(i) London dispersion forces (both non-polar)
(ii) London dispersion forces (both non-polar)
(iii) Ion–dipole interactions
(iv) Dipole–dipole interactions (with some hydrogen bonding between the O–H of methanol and the C=O of acetone)
(v) Dipole–dipole interactions
(i) dispersion; (ii) dispersion; (iii) ion–dipole; (iv) dipole–dipole; (v) dipole–dipole.
Based on solute-solvent interactions, arrange the following in order of increasing solubility in n-octane and explain. Cyclohexane, KCl, CHX3OH, CHX3CN.
Solution
n-Octane is non-polar, so "like dissolves like": the more polar the solute, the less it dissolves.
KCl < CHX3OH < CHX3CN < cyclohexane
KCl is ionic (least soluble); methanol is polar and hydrogen-bonded; acetonitrile is polar but has no hydrogen bonding, so it is less held together; cyclohexane is non-polar like octane (most soluble).
Amongst the following compounds, identify which are insoluble, partially soluble and highly soluble in water? (i) phenol (ii) toluene (iii) formic acid (iv) ethylene glycol (v) chloroform (vi) pentanol.
Solution
Insoluble: toluene, chloroform (non-polar or weakly polar, no hydrogen bonding with water)
Partially soluble: phenol, pentanol (the –OH forms hydrogen bonds, but the large hydrocarbon part is non-polar)
Highly soluble: formic acid, ethylene glycol (small molecules that form strong hydrogen bonds with water)
Nalorphene (CX19HX21NOX3), similar to morphine, is used to combat withdrawal symptoms in narcotic users. Dose of nalorphene generally given is 1.5 mg. Calculate the mass of 1.5×10−3 m aqueous solution required for the above dose.
Solution
Molar mass of CX19HX21NOX3=19(12)+21(1)+14+3(16)=311 g mol⁻¹.
1.5×10−3 m means 1.5×10−3×311=0.4665 g of nalorphene per 1000 g of water.
For 1.5 mg =1.5×10−3 g: water needed =0.46651.5×10−3×1000=3.215 g.
The depression in freezing point of water observed for the same amount of acetic acid, trichloroacetic acid and trifluoroacetic acid increases in the order given above. Explain briefly.
Solution
ΔTf depends on the number of particles, so it is larger for an acid that ionises more. Cl and F are electron-withdrawing; they pull electron density away from the –COOH group and make the HX+ easier to lose. F is more electronegative than Cl, so:
More ionisation means more particles (a larger van't Hoff factor i), so the depression of freezing point increases in the same order.
The acid strength (degree of ionisation) increases in that order because of the electron-withdrawing Cl and F, giving more particles and a larger ΔT_f.
19.5 g of CHX2FCOOH is dissolved in 500 g of water. The depression in the freezing point of water observed is 1.0°C. Calculate the van't Hoff factor and dissociation constant of fluoroacetic acid.
Solution
Molar mass of CHX2FCOOH=78 g mol⁻¹. n=7819.5=0.25 mol; m=0.50.25=0.5 mol kg⁻¹.
Vapour pressure of water at 293 K is 17.535 mm Hg. Calculate the vapour pressure of water at 293 K when 25 g of glucose is dissolved in 450 g of water.
Henry's law constant for the molality of methane in benzene at 298 K is 4.27×105 mm Hg. Calculate the solubility of methane in benzene at 298 K under 760 mm Hg.
100 g of liquid A (molar mass 140 g mol⁻¹) was dissolved in 1000 g of liquid B (molar mass 180 g mol⁻¹). The vapour pressure of pure liquid B was found to be 500 torr. Calculate the vapour pressure of pure liquid A and its vapour pressure in the solution if the total vapour pressure of the solution is 475 Torr.
Vapour pressures of pure acetone and chloroform at 328 K are 741.8 mm Hg and 632.8 mm Hg respectively. Assuming that they form ideal solution over the entire range of composition, plot ptotal, pchloroform and pacetone as a function of xacetone. The experimental data observed for different compositions of mixture is given. Plot this data also on the same graph paper. Indicate whether it has positive deviation or negative deviation from the ideal solution.
Solution
For an ideal solution: pacetone=741.8x, pchloroform=632.8(1−x) and ptotal=632.8+109x (straight lines). Comparing totals:
100 × x(acetone)
0
11.8
23.4
36.0
50.8
58.2
64.5
72.1
Ideal p_total (mm Hg)
632.8
645.7
658.3
672.0
688.2
696.2
703.1
711.4
Experimental p_total (mm Hg)
632.8
603.0
579.5
562.1
580.4
599.5
615.3
641.8
On the graph, the experimental curves for pacetone, pchloroform and ptotal all lie below the straight ideal lines (the total curve sags to a minimum near x≈0.36). So the solution shows negative deviation: acetone and chloroform attract each other through hydrogen bonding (ClX3C−H⋅⋅⋅O=C).
The experimental vapour pressures are lower than the ideal values at every composition: negative deviation from Raoult's law.
Benzene and toluene form ideal solution over the entire range of composition. The vapour pressure of pure benzene and toluene at 300 K are 50.71 mm Hg and 32.06 mm Hg respectively. Calculate the mole fraction of benzene in vapour phase if 80 g of benzene is mixed with 100 g of toluene.
The air is a mixture of a number of gases. The major components are oxygen and nitrogen with approximate proportion of 20% is to 79% by volume at 298 K. The water is in equilibrium with air at a pressure of 10 atm. At 298 K if the Henry's law constants for oxygen and nitrogen at 298 K are 3.30×107 mm and 6.51×107 mm respectively, calculate the composition of these gases in water.
Determine the osmotic pressure of a solution prepared by dissolving 25 mg of KX2SOX4 in 2 litre of water at 25°C, assuming that it is completely dissociated.
Solution
KX2SOX42KX++SOX4X2−, so i=3. Molar mass =174 g mol⁻¹.
n=1740.025=1.44×10−4 mol; C=21.44×10−4=7.2×10−5 M; T=298 K.
Π=iCRT=3×7.2×10−5×0.0821×298≈5.27×10−3atm
About 5.27×10−3 atm.
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