This short article highlights a fundamental error that is entrenched in introductory chemistry textbooks. It is true that the addition of a nonvolatile solute causes a lowering in the vapor pressure of a solution. The error lies in attributing this vapor pressure lowering to the "blocking" of surface sites by nonvolatile particles. This is a totally fallacious argument for a number of reasons and the true explanation is to be found in the entropy changes that occur as a nonvolatile solute is added to a solution.
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Citation
Peckham, Gavin D. J. Chem. Educ.1998 75 787.
Keywords
Introductory/High School Chemistry, Gases, Physical Chemistry, Solutions/Solvents
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