Related Formula
PA = yA Ptotal = xA P⁰A$$P_\text{A} = y_\text{A} P_{\text{total}} = x_\text{A} P^0_\text{A}$$
PB = yB Ptotal = xB P⁰B$$P_\text{B} = y_\text{B} P_{\text{total}} = x_\text{B} P^0_\text{B}$$
Dividing both partial pressure formulations yields:
yAyB = ( P⁰AP⁰B) · xAxB$$\frac{y_\text{A}}{y_\text{B}} = \left(\frac{P^0_\text{A}}{P^0_\text{B}}\right) \cdot \frac{x_\text{A}}{x_\text{B}} $$
Core Logic
Given pure saturation thresholds:
P⁰A = 350 mm Hg, P⁰B = 750 mm Hg$$P^0_\text{A} = 350\text{ mm Hg}, \quad P^0_\text{B} = 750\text{ mm Hg} $$
Comparing pure component volatility profiles:
P⁰A < P⁰B P⁰AP⁰B < 1$$P^0_\text{A} < P^0_\text{B} \implies \frac{P^0_\text{A}}{P^0_\text{B}} < 1 $$
Substituting this inequality into the ratio formula gives:
yAyB < 1 · xAxB yAyB < xAxB$$\frac{y_\text{A}}{y_\text{B}} < 1 \cdot \frac{x_\text{A}}{x_\text{B}} \implies \frac{y_\text{A}}{y_\text{B}} < \frac{x_\text{A}}{x_\text{B}} $$
Step 1: Rearranging Ratio Forms
Inverting the inequality expression fields safely yields:
xAxB > yAyB$$\frac{x_\text{A}}{x_\text{B}} > \frac{y_\text{A}}{y_\text{B}} $$
Pattern Recognition
Konovalov's Rule Shortcut: The vapour phase is always enriched with the more volatile component. Since component B$\text{B}$ has a higher pure vapour pressure (750 > 350$750 > 350$), it will be preferentially enriched in the vapour phase, meaning yB/yA > xB/xA$y_\text{B}/y_\text{A} > x_\text{B}/x_\text{A}$. Reversing the fractions directly matches option (3).
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Chemistry: Solutions