Related Formula
PTotal = PA° XA + PB° XB$$P_{\text{Total}} = P_A^{\circ} X_A + P_B^{\circ} X_B$$
Core Logic
Case 1:
Moles of A (nA$n_A$) = 3, Moles of B (nB$n_B$) = 1.
Total moles = 3 + 1 = 4$3 + 1 = 4$.
Mole fraction of A (XA$X_A$) = (3)/(4)$\frac{3}{4}$, Mole fraction of B (XB$X_B$) = (1)/(4)$\frac{1}{4}$.
Vapour pressure (Pₛ$P_{\text{s}}$) = 500 mm Hg$500 \text{ mm Hg}$.
Using Raoult's law:
500 = PA°((3)/(4)) + PB°((1)/(4))$$500 = P_A^{\circ}\left(\frac{3}{4}\right) + P_B^{\circ}\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)$$
2000 = 3PA° + PB° --- (Equation 1)$$2000 = 3P_A^{\circ} + P_B^{\circ} \quad \text{--- (Equation 1)}$$
Step 1: Setting up Case 2
Case 2:
1 mol of A is further added. So, new moles of A (nA$n_A^{\prime}$) = 4. Moles of B remains 1.
Total moles = 4 + 1 = 5$4 + 1 = 5$.
Mole fraction of A (XA$X_A^{\prime}$) = (4)/(5)$\frac{4}{5}$, Mole fraction of B (XB$X_B^{\prime}$) = (1)/(5)$\frac{1}{5}$.
Vapour pressure increases by 20 mm Hg$20 \text{ mm Hg}$, so new Pₛ = 500 + 20 = 520 mm Hg$P_{\text{s}} = 500 + 20 = 520 \text{ mm Hg}$.
Using Raoult's law:
520 = PA°((4)/(5)) + PB°((1)/(5))$$520 = P_A^{\circ}\left(\frac{4}{5}\right) + P_B^{\circ}\left(\frac{1}{5}\right)$$
2600 = 4PA° + PB° --- (Equation 2)$$2600 = 4P_A^{\circ} + P_B^{\circ} \quad \text{--- (Equation 2)}$$
Step 2: Solving for Pure Vapour Pressures
Subtract Equation 1 from Equation 2:
(4PA° + PB°) - (3PA° + PB°) = 2600 - 2000$$(4P_A^{\circ} + P_B^{\circ}) - (3P_A^{\circ} + P_B^{\circ}) = 2600 - 2000$$
PA° = 600 mm Hg$$P_A^{\circ} = 600 \text{ mm Hg}$$
Substitute PA°$P_A^{\circ}$ back into Equation 1:
3(600) + PB° = 2000$$3(600) + P_B^{\circ} = 2000$$
1800 + PB° = 2000$$1800 + P_B^{\circ} = 2000$$
PB° = 200 mm Hg$$P_B^{\circ} = 200 \text{ mm Hg}$$
Pattern Recognition
A standard two-equation Raoult's law system. Cross-multiply out the denominators immediately to get simple linear equations (Ax + By = C$Ax + By = C$) which allow straightforward elimination.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Chemistry: Solutions