Raoult's Law Formula:
From: | To: |
Definition: This calculator estimates the total vapor pressure of an ideal solution based on the partial pressures and mole fractions of its components.
Purpose: It helps chemists and engineers determine the vapor pressure of mixtures, important for distillation, evaporation, and other phase equilibrium calculations.
The calculator uses Raoult's Law formula:
Where:
Explanation: The total pressure is the sum of each component's pure vapor pressure multiplied by its mole fraction in the liquid.
Details: Accurate vapor pressure prediction is crucial for designing distillation systems, understanding evaporation rates, and predicting phase behavior in chemical processes.
Tips: Enter the vapor pressure of each pure component (in Pascals) and their mole fractions in the liquid phase. Mole fractions must sum to ≤ 1.
Q1: What is Raoult's Law?
A: Raoult's Law states that the partial vapor pressure of a component in a mixture is equal to the vapor pressure of the pure component multiplied by its mole fraction.
Q2: When is Raoult's Law valid?
A: For ideal solutions where intermolecular forces between different components are similar to those between like molecules.
Q3: What if my mole fractions don't sum to 1?
A: The calculator will not compute results if the sum exceeds 1 (allowing for minor rounding). For sums < 1, it's assumed the remainder is non-volatile.
Q4: Can I add more than two components?
A: This version handles two components, but the law applies to any number of components (Ptotal = P₁x₁ + P₂x₂ + P₃x₃ + ...).
Q5: What units should I use?
A: The calculator uses Pascals (Pa) for pressure, but any consistent pressure unit will work as long as all inputs use the same unit.