Question:easy

A solid solute is dissolved in water. The mole fraction of solute is 0.02. What is the molality of the solution?

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To convert mole fraction to molality, assume 1 mole of total solution components and use the solvent's molar mass.
Updated On: Jun 10, 2026
  • 2.133 m
  • 2.5 m
  • 1.5 m
  • 1.133 m
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understand what is asked.
We are told the mole fraction of the solute is $0.02$. We have to find the molality of the solution. Molality means moles of solute present in every $1$ kg of solvent.

Step 2: Use the mole fraction to fix the moles.
Mole fraction of solute is $x_{solute} = \dfrac{n_{solute}}{n_{solute}+n_{solvent}}$. The easiest trick is to take a total of $1$ mole of the mixture. Then moles of solute become $0.02$ and moles of water become $1-0.02 = 0.98$.

Step 3: Find the mass of the solvent.
The solvent is water, whose molar mass is $18$ g per mole. So the mass of water is $0.98 \times 18 = 17.64$ g.

Step 4: Change grams into kilograms.
Molality needs the solvent mass in kilograms. So $17.64$ g $= \dfrac{17.64}{1000} = 0.01764$ kg.

Step 5: Apply the molality formula.
\[ m = \frac{\text{moles of solute}}{\text{mass of solvent in kg}} = \frac{0.02}{0.01764} \]

Step 6: Do the division and conclude.
$\dfrac{0.02}{0.01764} \approx 1.133$. So the molality is about $1.133$ m.
\[ \boxed{1.133 \text{ m}} \]
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