01 When 5 g of a non-volatile solute is dissolved in 45 g water, the relative lowering of vapour pressure is 0.10. What is the approximate molar mass of the solute?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. 18 g mol⁻¹
Explanation: For a dilute solution containing a non-volatile solute, relative lowering of vapour pressure equals the mole fraction of the solute: x₂ = n₂/(n₁+n₂). Water moles are 45/18 = 2.5 mol. Thus 0.10 = n₂/(2.5+n₂), giving n₂ = 0.278 mol approximately. Therefore the solute molar mass is 5/0.278 ≈ 18 g mol⁻¹, so option A is correct.