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Vapor Pressure Lowering by Nonvolatile Solutes

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Gavin D. Peckham

University of Zululand, Department of Chemistry, Private Bag X 1001, Kwa Dlangezwa 3886, SOUTH AFRICA

J. Chem. Educ., 1998, 75 (6), p 787

DOI: 10.1021/ed075p787

Publication Date (Web): June 1, 1998

Abstract

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.

Keywords (Audience):

High School / Introductory Chemistry

Keywords (Domain):

Physical Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Misconceptions / Discrepant Events

Keywords (Subject):

Gases

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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

New Approaches to Chemistry Teaching. 2005 George C. Pimentel Award
J. N. Spencer
Journal of Chemical Education2006 83 (4), 528
- New Approaches to Chemistry Teaching. 2005 George C. Pimentel Award
  J. N. Spencer
  Journal of Chemical Education2006 83 (4), 528
  Traditional pedagogy has held sway for 2000 years. The studies of educational psychologists, cognitive scientists, and classroom experimentation have shown that the pedagogy of long standing is not the most effective for producing learning. Traditional ...
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