Raoult's Law Calculator

Calculate vapor pressure of solution using Raoult's law: P-solution = x-solvent * P-pure. Find vapor pressure lowering, mole fraction, or identify ideal solution behavior.

💧 Colligative📐 Psoln = xsolvent·P°solvent🧪 Chemistry
Mole fraction of solvent x-solvent
Pure solvent vapor pressure P° (mmHg)
Mole fraction of solute x-solute (optional check)
Please enter valid values.

Formula & Reference

VariableSymbolFormulaUnits
Raoult's Law CalculatorPsoln = xsolvent·P°solventPa or mmHg

Step-by-Step Examples

Example 1
Sugar Solution

0.100 mol sucrose in 900 g water (50 mol H2O) at 25 C. P0(H2O)=23.76 mmHg.

  • n(water)=900/18.02=49.94 mol, n(sucrose)=0.100
  • x(water)=49.94/(49.94+0.100)=0.998
  • P = 0.998 x 23.76 = 23.71 mmHg
  • dP = 23.76-23.71 = 0.05 mmHg small effect
✓ P(soln) = 23.71 mmHg
Example 2
Ethanol-Water Mixture

x(water)=0.50 in mixture. P0(water)=23.76, P0(ethanol)=44.8 mmHg at 25 C.

  • P(water) = 0.50 x 23.76 = 11.88 mmHg
  • P(ethanol) = 0.50 x 44.8 = 22.4 mmHg
  • P(total) = 11.88+22.4 = 34.28 mmHg (Dalton)
✓ P(total) = 34.28 mmHg for ideal solution
Example 3
Find Mole Fraction

P(soln)=20.0 mmHg. P0(water)=23.76 mmHg. Find x(solute).

  • x(solvent) = P/P0 = 20.0/23.76 = 0.842
  • x(solute) = 1 - 0.842 = 0.158
✓ x(solute) = 0.158

Real-World Applications

🧪
Distillation
Raoult law governs separation by distillation. Volatile component enriches in vapor.
🌊
Atmospheric Chemistry
Vapor pressure over seawater (~23 torr vs pure water ~24 torr) affects evaporation and weather.
💊
Drug Delivery
Vapor pressure of transdermal patches determines drug release rate.
🍺
Beverages
Alcohol-water mixtures follow Raoult law approximately for vapor composition calculations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

⚠️
Mole fraction not mass fraction

Raoult law uses mole fraction x = n_solvent / n_total. Not g/g or g/L.

⚠️
Ideal solution assumption

Raoult law is exact only for ideal solutions (same intermolecular forces). Real solutions deviate, especially alcohol-water.

⚠️
Positive vs negative deviation

Positive deviation (P > Raoult): solvent-solvent interactions stronger than solvent-solute (e.g., acetone-hexane). Negative: solvent-solute stronger (acetone-chloroform).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Raoult law?
P_solution = x_solvent x P0_solvent. Vapor pressure of a solution is reduced in proportion to solute mole fraction. Applies to ideal solutions.
What are ideal solutions?
Mixtures where solute-solvent interactions equal solvent-solvent interactions. Many solutions are approximately ideal, especially dilute solutions.
How is vapor pressure lowering related to boiling point elevation?
Both caused by reduced vapor pressure. Lower vapor pressure means higher temperature needed to equal atmospheric pressure (boiling). Both are colligative properties.
What is Henry law vs Raoult law?
Raoult law: for solvent (high mole fraction) in ideal solution. Henry law: for solute (low mole fraction) as dissolved gas. Both are limiting laws.
What is the total vapor pressure of a two-component mixture?
P_total = x1*P1 + x2*P2 (Raoult for each component). The vapor is enriched in the more volatile component (higher P0).

Related Chemistry Calculators

Formula Explorer connections

Interpretation: This relationship connects pressure, volume, temperature, amount or phase composition for gases and volatile mixtures. Assumption: Use absolute temperature and compatible pressure-volume units. Ideal behavior weakens at high pressure, low temperature, strong intermolecular attraction or near phase change.

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