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Raoult's Law

The vapour pressure of a solvent above a solution equals its mole fraction times the pure solvent's vapour pressure.

Formula

Psoln=xsolventPsolventP_{\text{soln}} = x_{\text{solvent}} \, P^{\circ}_{\text{solvent}}

Variables

P_{\text{soln}}Vapour pressure of solution
xMole fraction of solvent
P^{\circ}Vapour pressure of pure solvent

Example

Dissolving salt in water lowers water's vapour pressure, raising its boiling point.

Did You Know?

Raoult's law explains all colligative properties — why antifreeze both lowers freezing and raises boiling points.

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