Question

Why is the chemical nature of the solute not considered in the lowering of the vapor pressure?
A. Because it depends on the number of the solute particles that have been dissolved
B. Because vapor pressure is merely a physical property of the solvent and does not undergo a chemical reaction with the solvent and does not itself escape into the gas phase
C. A & B
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer:

Since only solvent molecules located at the surface can escape (evaporate), the sheer presence of the solute lowers the number of solvent molecules coming and going and therefore lowers the equilibrium vapor pressure.