Question

Define ideal solution.

Hint:

Ideal solutions obey Raoult’s law at all concentrations and have no enthalpy change during mixing, implying similar intermolecular forces between components.

Answer 1

An ideal solution is one that obeys Raoult’s Law completely over the entire range of concentrations. In an ideal solution, the enthalpy of mixing is zero, and the intermolecular forces between the components (solvent-solvent, solute-solute, and solvent-solute) are similar. There is no excess enthalpy change upon mixing, and the vapor pressure of the solution is proportional to the mole fraction of each component. Real solutions that do not follow Raoult's law due to differences in intermolecular interactions are termed non-ideal solutions.