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Ideal Solution - Meaning, Definition, Examples, FAQs

Ideal Solution - Meaning, Definition, Examples, FAQs

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 04:34 PM IST

The idea of an ideal solution was discovered at the end of 1900 and at the start of 2000 centuries With this discovery various scientists took part in the, main idea by the study of an ideal solution is the study of solutions and the properties of the solution by which the study begins. In 1887, there was a Dutch chemist named Johannes Diderik van der Waals did important studies to understand the behaviour of liquids and gaseous which laid the framework of the concept of the ideal solution.

This Story also Contains
  1. Ideal Solution
  2. Some Solved Example
  3. Summary
Ideal Solution - Meaning, Definition, Examples, FAQs
Ideal Solution - Meaning, Definition, Examples, FAQs

The further advancements in the work come with the work of Gilbert N. Lewis and another British chemist Richard S. Lind. In 1923 paper on the theory of solutions, developed the concept of chemical potential and proposed that an ideal solution follows a behaviour where the enthalpy of mixing is zero. Lind's work, alongside Lewis's, expanded the theoretical framework to explain the deviations observed in real solutions from the ideal solution.

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Ideal Solution

The solutions which obey Raoult’s law for the entire range of composition are called Ideal solutions.

In these solutions, the solute-solute and solvent-solvent interactions are almost similar to solute-solvent interactions (A-B = A-A or B-B interactions). Since the existing forces and the newly formed forces are almost identical, there is no enthalpy change in the mixing of these solutions i.e $\Delta H_{\operatorname{mix}}=0$.

There is no change in the volume during the mixing process i.e.$\Delta V_{\operatorname{mix}}=0$ For example if 1 litre solutions each of liquid A and B are mixed to form an ideal solution, then the solution obtained has a volume equal to 2 litres.

The entropy of mixing is positive as new interactions are introduced into the solution which increases the randomness of the system and hence $\Delta S_{\operatorname{mix}}>0$ The mixing process is spontaneous and hence $\Delta G_{\operatorname{mix}}<0$

These solutions have vapor pressure as predicted by Raoult’s law.
$\begin{aligned} & P_A=P_A^o X_A \\ & P_B=P_B^o X_B \\ & P_T=P_A+P_B\end{aligned}$

  • Examples of ideal solutions

For the solutions to follow the ideal solution at all ranges of concentrations and temperatures then the molecular size of the liquids should be nearly the same.
For example:

  • CH3OH + C2H5OH: Both these liquids are polar and have nearly the same size. Thus, this solution is an ideal solution.
  • C2H5Br2 + C2H5Cl2: Both these liquids are polar and have nearly the same size. Thus, this solution is an ideal solution.
  • C2H5Cl + C2H5Br: Both these liquids are polar and have nearly the same size. Thus, this solution is an ideal solution.
  • C6H6 + C6H5CH3: Both these liquids are non-polar and have nearly the same size. Thus, this solution is an ideal solution.
  • C2H5Cl + C2H5I: Both these liquids are polar but the size difference between the molecules is large. Thus, this solution is not an ideal solution.
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Some Solved Example

Example.1 Equimolal solutions in the same solvent have

1)same boiling point but different freezing point

2)same freezing point but different boiling point

3) (correct)same boiling and same freezing points

4)different boiling and different freezing point

Solution

Raoult's Law -The total vapour pressure of the binary mixture of miscible liquids ideally is given by

$P_T=P_A^0 x_A+P_B^0 x_B$

Where $x_A$ and $x_B$ are mole fractions of A and B in the liquid phase

$P_{A \text { and }}^0 P_B^0$ are vapour pressures of pure liquids.

According to Raoult's law, equimolar solutions of all substances in the same solvent will show the equal value of colligative properties such as elevation in Boiling Point, depression in freezing point, osmotic pressure and relative lowering of vapour pressure.

Hence, the answer is the option (3).

Example.2 A mixture of 100 m mol of $\mathrm{Ca}(\mathrm{OH})_2$ and 2 g of sodium sulphate was dissolved in water and the volume was made up to 100 mL . The mass of calcium sulphate formed and the concentration of OH^{-} in the resulting solution, respectively , are : (Molar mass of $\mathrm{Ca}(\mathrm{OH})_2, \mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{SO}_4$ and $\mathrm{CaSO}_4$ , are 74, 143 and 136 g $\mathrm{mol}^{-1}$ , respectively ; $K_{\text {sp }}$ of $\mathrm{Ca}(\mathrm{OH})_2$ is $5.5 \times 10^{-6}$,)

1) (correct)$1.9 \mathrm{~g}, 0.28 \mathrm{~mol} \mathrm{~L}^{-1}$

2)$13.6 \mathrm{~g}, \quad 0.28 \mathrm{molL}^{-1}$

3)$1.9 \mathrm{~g}, 0.14 \mathrm{molL}^{-1}$

4)$13.6 \mathrm{~g}, \quad 0.14 \mathrm{molL}^{-1}$

Solution

Given,

Mol of Na2SO4 = 2/142 = 14 m mol

$
\begin{aligned}
& \mathrm{Ca}(\mathrm{OH})_2+\mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{SO}_4 \longrightarrow \mathrm{CaSO}_4+2 \mathrm{NaOH} \\
& \begin{array}{llll}
\mathrm{mmol} & 100 \quad 14 & 14 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{mol} \quad 28 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{mol}
\end{array} \\
&
\end{aligned}
$

Mass of $\mathrm{CaSO}_4=\frac{14 \times 136}{1000}=1.9 \mathrm{gm}$
Molarity of $\mathrm{OH}^{-}=\frac{28}{100}=0.28 \mathrm{~mol} / \mathrm{L}$

Example.3 All of the following form ideal solutions except:

1)$\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_5 \mathrm{Br}$ and $\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_5 \mathrm{I}$

2)$\mathrm{C}_6 \mathrm{H}_5 \mathrm{Cl}$ and $\mathrm{C}_6 \mathrm{H}_5 \mathrm{Br}$

3)$\mathrm{C}_6 \mathrm{H}_6$ and $\mathrm{C}_6 \mathrm{H}_5 \mathrm{CH}_3$

4) (correct)$\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_5 \mathrm{I}$ and $\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_5 \mathrm{OH}$

Solution

$\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_5 \mathrm{I}$ and $\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_5 \mathrm{OH}$ do not form an ideal solution.

Hence, the answer is the option (4).

Example.4 Which of the following is incorrect?

1)Relative lowering of vapour pressure is independent of the nature of the solute

2)The vapour pressure is not a colligative property.

3) The vapour pressure of a solution is lower than the vapour pressure of the solvent

4) (correct)The relative lowering of vapour pressure is directly proportional to the original pressure

Solution

The vapour pressure is not a colligative property but lowering of Vapor Pressure is a colligative property of solutions.

According to Raoult's law, the relative lowering in vapour pressure of a dilute solution is equal to the mole fraction of the solute present in the
solution.

Hence, the answer is the option (4).

Example.5 100 mL of liquid A and 25 mL of liquid B are mixed to form a solution of volume 125 mL. Then the solution is:

1) (correct)Ideal

2) Non-ideal with positive deviation

3) Non-ideal with negative deviation

4)Cannot be predicted

Solution

Here,
VA = 25 mL , VB = 100 mL
After mixing
VA + VB = 125 mL
then,
$\Delta V_{\operatorname{mix}}=125-(100+25)=0$
hence the solution is ideal.
Hence, the answer is the option (1).

Example.6 Liquid and liquid $' N^{\prime}$ form an ideal solution. The vapour pressures of pure liquids $' M^{\prime}$ and $' N^{\prime}$ are $450$ and 700 mmHg, respectively, at the same temperature. Then correct statement is :

$x_M=$ Mole fraction of ${ }^{\prime} M^{\prime}$ in solution;

$x_N=$ Mole fraction of ${ }^{\prime} N^{\prime}$ in solution;

$y_M=$ Mole fraction of $' M$ ' in vapour phase;

$y_N=$ Mole fraction of ${ }^{\prime} N^{\prime}$ in vapour phase)

1) $\frac{x_M}{x_N}=\frac{y_M}{y_N}$

2)$\left(x_M-y_M\right)<\left(x_N-y_N\right)$

3) $\frac{x_M}{x_N}<\frac{y_M}{y_N}$

4) (correct) $\frac{x_M}{x_N}>\frac{y_M}{y_N}$

Solution

The vapour pressures of pure liq. M & N are 450 mm of Hg and 700 mm of Hg respectively,

$\begin{aligned} & P_N^0>P_M^0 \\ & y_N>x_N\end{aligned}$ $(N \rightarrow$ more volatile)


$\begin{aligned} & y_M<x_M \Rightarrow x_M>y_M \\ & y_N<x_N \rightarrow x_N>y_N \\ & \frac{x_M}{x_N}>\frac{y_M}{y_N}\end{aligned}$

Hence, the answer is the option (4).

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Summary

An ideal solution is a theoretical concept in chemistry where the components mix perfectly without any change in their properties, such as volume or enthalpy. In an ideal solution, the interaction are the same in both the components either in the other molecules or in the component of the same molecules. there are a lot of benefits of an ideal solution in the field of scientific research and in the various practical application and most of the advantages are as follows the ideal solution is used in predicting the behaviour of mixtures of solutions by predicting their intermolecular forces by which they are joined. And this can be predicted by applying the Raoult's law to determine the vapour pressure.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are your thoughts on an ideal solution?

A solution where the interaction of component molecules does not vary from the interactions of each component’s molecules. In theory, all solutions obey Raoul’s law, no matter what concentration or temperature they are at.

2. A perfect solution has what characteristics?

There are several characteristics of an ideal solution: (i) mixing volume change should be zero. A mixing heat change of zero is required in (ii).

3. How does Raoul’s Law work?

Roult’s law is a chemical law that indicates how much vapor pressure a solution has based on the mole fraction of the solution. Raoul’s Law is expressed by the formula, Resolution = Χ solvent x P solvent

4. Raoul’s law states what?

According to Raoul’s law, a solution's vapor pressure equals the sum of each volatile component's vapor pressure if the mole fraction of that component in the solution is strictly multiplied by that component's vapor pressure.

5. A perfect gas is what?

It is defined as an ideal gas if there are no attractive forces between molecules and all collisions between atoms or molecules occur smoothly. It is probably an image of a series of colliding perfectly hard spheres that cannot communicate.

6. What is an ideal solution?
An ideal solution is a mixture of two or more substances that behaves perfectly according to Raoult's law. In an ideal solution, the interactions between molecules of different components are identical to the interactions between molecules of the same component. This results in no heat change or volume change upon mixing.
7. How does Raoult's law apply to ideal solutions?
Raoult's law states that for an ideal solution, the partial vapor pressure of each component is directly proportional to its mole fraction in the solution. Mathematically, it's expressed as P = X * P°, where P is the partial vapor pressure of the component, X is its mole fraction, and P° is its vapor pressure as a pure liquid.
8. What are the key characteristics of an ideal solution?
Key characteristics of an ideal solution include:
9. Can you provide examples of ideal solutions?
While truly ideal solutions are rare, some examples that closely approximate ideal behavior include:
10. How do ideal solutions differ from real solutions?
Ideal solutions are theoretical concepts that perfectly follow Raoult's law, while real solutions often deviate from it. Real solutions may have heat changes, volume changes, or non-linear relationships between vapor pressure and composition due to molecular interactions.
11. What is the significance of studying ideal solutions in chemistry?
Studying ideal solutions provides a simplified model to understand solution behavior. It serves as a reference point for comparing real solutions, helps in developing theories for more complex systems, and is useful in predicting properties of dilute solutions which often approach ideal behavior.
12. How does temperature affect the behavior of an ideal solution?
Temperature doesn't affect the ideality of a solution. However, it does affect the vapor pressure of each component. As temperature increases, the vapor pressure of each component increases, but the solution remains ideal if it continues to obey Raoult's law at the new temperature.
13. What is the relationship between Gibbs free energy and mixing in an ideal solution?
For an ideal solution, the Gibbs free energy of mixing (ΔGmix) is always negative, indicating that mixing is spontaneous. This is due to an increase in entropy upon mixing, while the enthalpy of mixing is zero. The equation is: ΔGmix = RT(X1lnX1 + X2lnX2), where R is the gas constant, T is temperature, and X1 and X2 are mole fractions.
14. How does the concept of ideal solutions relate to colligative properties?
Ideal solutions are crucial in understanding colligative properties. These properties (vapor pressure lowering, boiling point elevation, freezing point depression, and osmotic pressure) depend only on the number of dissolved particles, not their nature. Ideal solution theory forms the basis for calculating these effects in dilute solutions.
15. What is Henry's law and how does it relate to ideal solutions?
Henry's law states that the amount of dissolved gas in a liquid is proportional to its partial pressure above the liquid. For ideal solutions, Henry's law is consistent with Raoult's law at low concentrations of the dissolved gas. Both laws describe the relationship between vapor pressure and composition in solutions.
16. How do you calculate the total vapor pressure of an ideal binary solution?
The total vapor pressure (Ptotal) of an ideal binary solution is the sum of the partial vapor pressures of its components, calculated using Raoult's law:
17. What is the difference between an ideal solution and an ideal gas mixture?
While both follow simple laws, they differ in their physical state and the laws they obey. Ideal solutions are liquid mixtures that follow Raoult's law, while ideal gas mixtures are gaseous and follow Dalton's law of partial pressures. In ideal gas mixtures, molecules are assumed to have no interactions, whereas in ideal solutions, interactions exist but are uniform.
18. How does the concept of activity coefficient relate to ideal solutions?
The activity coefficient (γ) measures the deviation of a solution from ideal behavior. For an ideal solution, the activity coefficient is always 1 for all components at all concentrations. When γ ≠ 1, it indicates non-ideal behavior, with γ > 1 suggesting positive deviations and γ < 1 suggesting negative deviations from Raoult's law.
19. Can a solution of an electrolyte and water be considered an ideal solution?
Generally, no. Solutions of electrolytes in water are typically not ideal due to strong ion-dipole interactions between the electrolyte and water molecules. These interactions lead to deviations from Raoult's law and often result in significant heat and volume changes upon mixing.
20. How does the molecular size of components affect the ideality of a solution?
For a solution to be ideal, the molecular sizes of its components should be similar. When molecules of significantly different sizes are mixed, the solution tends to deviate from ideal behavior due to differences in intermolecular forces and packing efficiency.
21. What is the significance of the x-axis intercepts in a vapor pressure vs. composition graph for an ideal solution?
In a vapor pressure vs. composition graph for an ideal binary solution, the x-axis intercepts represent the pure component vapor pressures. The left intercept (x = 0) gives the vapor pressure of the more volatile component, while the right intercept (x = 1) gives the vapor pressure of the less volatile component.
22. How does the concept of ideal solutions apply to liquid-liquid extraction processes?
In liquid-liquid extraction, the concept of ideal solutions helps in predicting the distribution of a solute between two immiscible liquids. If all solutions involved behave ideally, the distribution coefficient remains constant regardless of concentration, simplifying calculations and process design.
23. What is the relationship between ideal solutions and Raoult's law deviations?
Ideal solutions perfectly obey Raoult's law with no deviations. Real solutions often show positive or negative deviations from Raoult's law. Positive deviations occur when intermolecular forces between different molecules are weaker than those between like molecules, resulting in higher vapor pressures. Negative deviations occur when these forces are stronger, leading to lower vapor pressures.
24. How does the concept of ideal solutions apply to boiling point diagrams?
For an ideal solution, the boiling point diagram (temperature vs. composition) is a straight line connecting the boiling points of the pure components. This linear relationship arises from the direct proportionality between vapor pressure and composition in ideal solutions, as described by Raoult's law.
25. What is the importance of understanding ideal solutions in the context of distillation?
Understanding ideal solutions is crucial in distillation because it provides a baseline for predicting the behavior of liquid mixtures during the process. It helps in estimating vapor-liquid equilibria, designing distillation columns, and calculating the number of theoretical plates required for separation, especially for systems that closely approximate ideal behavior.
26. How does the molar volume change when forming an ideal solution?
In an ideal solution, there is no volume change upon mixing. This means the molar volume of the solution is a linear combination of the molar volumes of its pure components, weighted by their mole fractions. Mathematically, Vsolution = X1V1 + X2V2, where V represents molar volumes and X represents mole fractions.
27. What is the relationship between ideal solutions and azeotropes?
Ideal solutions do not form azeotropes. Azeotropes occur in non-ideal mixtures where the vapor and liquid compositions become identical at a certain point, preventing further separation by simple distillation. The absence of azeotropes in ideal solutions is due to their perfect adherence to Raoult's law.
28. How does the concept of ideal solutions relate to phase diagrams?
In phase diagrams for ideal solutions, the liquidus and solidus lines are straight and parallel to each other. This is because the chemical potential of each component in an ideal solution varies linearly with its mole fraction, resulting in a simple relationship between composition and temperature in phase equilibria.
29. What is the significance of Henry's constant in the context of ideal solutions?
Henry's constant (KH) is important when dealing with very dilute solutions, which often approach ideal behavior. For an ideal solution, Henry's constant is related to the vapor pressure of the pure solvent (P°) by the equation: KH = P° / X, where X is the mole fraction of the solute. This relationship allows for the prediction of gas solubility in ideal dilute solutions.
30. How does the concept of ideal solutions apply to osmotic pressure?
For ideal solutions, osmotic pressure (π) follows the van 't Hoff equation: π = CRT, where C is the molar concentration of the solute, R is the gas constant, and T is the absolute temperature. This equation assumes ideal behavior and is most accurate for dilute solutions, which often approach ideality.
31. What is the relationship between ideal solutions and colligative properties in non-electrolyte solutions?
In ideal non-electrolyte solutions, colligative properties depend solely on the number of dissolved particles, not their nature. This allows for simple calculations of properties like boiling point elevation and freezing point depression using equations that assume ideal behavior. For example, ΔTb = Kb * m, where Kb is the molal boiling point elevation constant and m is the molality of the solution.
32. How does the concept of ideal solutions relate to Dalton's law of partial pressures?
While Dalton's law applies to gas mixtures and Raoult's law to liquid solutions, both laws are analogous in describing ideal behavior. In an ideal solution, the partial vapor pressure of each component follows Raoult's law, similar to how the partial pressure of each gas in an ideal gas mixture follows Dalton's law. This analogy helps in understanding vapor-liquid equilibria in ideal systems.
33. What is the significance of the tangent line in a vapor pressure vs. composition graph for an ideal solution?
In a vapor pressure vs. composition graph for an ideal binary solution, the tangent line at any point represents the composition of the vapor in equilibrium with the liquid at that point. The slope of this tangent line is related to the relative volatility of the components, which is constant for an ideal solution across all compositions.
34. How does the concept of ideal solutions apply to freezing point depression?
For ideal solutions, the freezing point depression (ΔTf) is directly proportional to the molal concentration of the solute and is independent of the solute's nature. The equation ΔTf = Kf * m (where Kf is the molal freezing point depression constant and m is the molality) assumes ideal behavior and is most accurate for dilute solutions.
35. What is the relationship between ideal solutions and the chemical potential of components?
In an ideal solution, the chemical potential (μ) of each component is related to its mole fraction (X) by the equation: μ = μ° + RT ln(X), where μ° is the chemical potential of the pure component, R is the gas constant, and T is the temperature. This logarithmic relationship is a consequence of the ideal mixing assumption and leads to many of the properties associated with ideal solutions.
36. How does the concept of ideal solutions relate to the entropy of mixing?
For an ideal solution, the entropy of mixing (ΔSmix) is always positive and depends only on the mole fractions of the components. The equation is: ΔSmix = -R(X1lnX1 + X2lnX2), where R is the gas constant and X1 and X2 are mole fractions. This increase in entropy is the driving force for the spontaneous mixing in ideal solutions.
37. What is the significance of the lever rule in relation to ideal solutions?
The lever rule is a method used to determine the relative amounts of two phases in equilibrium. For ideal solutions, the lever rule can be applied directly to vapor-liquid equilibrium diagrams to calculate the proportions of liquid and vapor phases at any given overall composition, assuming the system follows Raoult's law perfectly.
38. How does the concept of ideal solutions apply to binary liquid-vapor phase diagrams?
In binary liquid-vapor phase diagrams for ideal solutions, the bubble point and dew point curves are symmetrical and can be calculated directly from Raoult's law. The region between these curves represents the two-phase region where liquid and vapor coexist in equilibrium, with compositions determined by the tie lines.
39. What is the relationship between ideal solutions and the van 't Hoff factor?
The van 't Hoff factor (i) is used to account for the dissociation of solutes in solution when calculating colligative properties. For ideal non-electrolyte solutions, i = 1, meaning there's no dissociation. However, for electrolytes in very dilute solutions (which approach ideal behavior), i represents the number of ions produced per formula unit of the electrolyte.
40. How does the concept of ideal solutions relate to Henry's law in the context of gas solubility?
For very dilute solutions, which often approach ideal behavior, Henry's law can be used to describe gas solubility. In this context, the amount of dissolved gas is directly proportional to its partial pressure above the solution. This is consistent with Raoult's law for ideal solutions at the limit of infinite dilution of the gas in the solvent.
41. What is the significance of the tie line in a phase diagram of an ideal binary solution?
In a phase diagram of an ideal binary solution, a tie line connects two points on the phase boundary that are in equilibrium with each other. For vapor-liquid equilibria, the tie line connects the composition of the liquid phase with the composition of the vapor phase in equilibrium with it. The lever rule can be applied to tie lines to determine the relative amounts of each phase.
42. How does the concept of ideal solutions apply to the calculation of activity in dilute solutions?
In very dilute solutions, which often approach ideal behavior, the activity of a solute can be approximated by its concentration. This is because, in the limit of infinite dilution, the activity coefficient approaches 1, making the activity equal to the concentration (in an appropriate units). This simplification is often used in calculations involving dilute solutions.
43. What is the relationship between ideal solutions and the concept of fugacity?
For an ideal solution, the fugacity of each component is directly proportional to its mole fraction, similar to how partial pressure relates to mole fraction in Raoult's law. In fact, for ideal solutions, fugacity can be replaced by partial pressure in thermodynamic equations without loss of accuracy. This simplifies many calculations in solution thermodynamics.
44. How does the concept of ideal solutions relate to the thermodynamic excess functions?
Thermodynamic excess functions (such as excess Gibbs energy, enthalpy, and entropy) measure the deviation of a solution from ideal behavior. For a perfect ideal solution, all excess functions are zero. The magnitude of these functions in real solutions indicates how far the solution deviates from ideality, with larger values suggesting greater non-ideality.
45. What is the significance of the critical solution temperature in relation to ideal solutions?
Ideal solutions do not exhibit a critical solution temperature (CST), which is the temperature at which two liquids become completely miscible. The absence of a CST in ideal solutions is due to the assumption of perfect miscibility at all compositions and temperatures. The presence of a CST in real solutions indicates non-ideal behavior and limited miscibility under certain conditions.
46. How does the concept of ideal solutions apply to the calculation of partial molar properties?
In an ideal solution, partial molar properties (such as partial molar volume or enthalpy) of a component are equal to its molar properties in the pure state. This simplification arises from the assumption that intermolecular interactions are identical for all molecules in the solution. For example, the partial molar volume of component A in an ideal solution is equal to its molar volume as a pure liquid.
47. What is the relationship between ideal solutions and the concept of regular solutions?
Regular solutions are a step between ideal solutions and completely non-ideal solutions. While ideal solutions have zero enthalpy of mixing, regular solutions have a non-zero enthalpy of mixing but still assume random mixing (like ideal solutions). Regular solution theory is often used as a first approximation for slightly non-ideal solutions when ideal solution theory is inadequate.
48. How does the concept of ideal solutions relate to the Gibbs-Duhem equation?
The Gibbs-Duhem equation relates changes in chemical potentials of components in a

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