Chemical Sciences
Physical Chemistry
1887
IntermediateRaoult's Law
Vapor pressure of a component equals its mole fraction times pure vapor pressure.
By François-Marie Raoult
Chemical Sciences
Raoult's Law
1887 · François-Marie Raoult
Why it matters: Basis of distillation, phase diagrams, and solution thermodynamics.
Discoverers: François-Marie Raoult (1887)
What does it mean?
Vapor pressure of a component equals its mole fraction times pure vapor pressure.
Why should I care?
Basis of distillation, phase diagrams, and solution thermodynamics.
Variables & Units
| Symbol | Name | Unit | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partial pressure | — | Vapor pressure of component | |
| Mole fraction | — | Liquid mole fraction | |
| Pure vapor pressure | — | Of pure component |
Worked Example
Ideal binary mixture: total P = x_A P_A* + x_B P_B*.
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Raoult's Law
Real-world impact
Distillation
Basis of distillation, phase diagrams, and solution thermodynamics.
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Vapor pressure of a component equals its mole fraction times pure vapor pressure.
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