Question:easy

Which of the following aqueous solutions will show maximum vapour pressure at 300K?

Show Hint

Vapour pressure is highest for the solution with the fewest dissolved particles.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2026
  • \(1\) M NaCl
  • \(1\) M \(\text{CaCl}_2\)
  • \(1\) M \(\text{AlCl}_3\)
  • \(1\) M \(\text{C}_{12}\text{H}_{22}\text{O}_{11}\)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Link vapour pressure to the solvent fraction:
For a non-volatile solute in a dilute solution, the relative lowering $\frac{\Delta p}{p^{\circ}}$ is about equal to the mole fraction of dissolved particles. A larger number of dissolved particles gives a larger drop, so we look for the least number of particles.

Step 2: Count particles per mole:
Take $1$ mol of each solute in water. NaCl gives $2$ mol of ions. $\text{CaCl}_2$ gives $3$ mol. $\text{AlCl}_3$ gives $4$ mol, assuming complete dissociation. Sucrose stays as $1$ mol of molecules, because it has no ionic bond to break.

Step 3: Rank the vapour pressures:
Order of particle number: sucrose $(1) < \text{NaCl}\ (2) < \text{CaCl}_2\ (3) < \text{AlCl}_3\ (4)$. Vapour pressure runs the other way: sucrose has the highest and $\text{AlCl}_3$ the lowest. So options (A), (B) and (C) are all lower than option (D).

Final Answer:
Sucrose gives the fewest particles, so the highest vapour pressure is for option (D). \[ \boxed{\text{Option (D)}} \]
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