Q.Calculate the mole fraction of benzene in solution containing 30% by mass in carbon tetrachloride.
Concept understanding — Molality Calculation
Molality: The Concentration That Ignores Temperature
Imagine you're making a cup of sweet tea. You add sugar to hot water, stir, and taste. If you let the tea cool to room temperature, the amount of sugar hasn't changed — but the volume of the liquid has shrunk slightly. If you measured concentration as "grams of sugar per litre of solution," that number would change just because the temperature changed. That's annoying if you're a chemist who needs a reliable, temperature-independent way to describe how much solute is present.
Molality was invented to solve exactly this problem.
The Intuition
Instead of measuring the volume of the solution (which expands and contracts with temperature), molality measures the mass of the solvent. Mass doesn't change with temperature. So molality gives you a concentration that stays the same whether your solution is hot or cold.
Think of it this way:
- Molarity = moles of solute per litre of solution (temperature-sensitive)
- Molality = moles of solute per kilogram of solvent (temperature-independent)
The solvent is the substance doing the dissolving — usually water. The solute is what gets dissolved — sugar, salt, etc.
The Precise Definition
Molality (m)=kilograms of solventmoles of solute
The symbol for molality is a lowercase m (not to be confused with M for molarity).
Key points to remember:
- The denominator is solvent mass, not solution mass
- The unit is mol/kg (often written as simply "m")
- It is independent of temperature because mass doesn't change with temperature
Worked Example
Problem: 36 g of glucose (C6H12O6, molar mass = 180 g/mol) is dissolved in 500 g of water. Calculate the molality of the solution.
Step 1: Find moles of solute
Moles of glucose=180 g/mol36 g=0.2 mol
Step 2: Convert solvent mass to kilograms
500 g=0.5 kg
Step 3: Apply the formula
m=0.5 kg0.2 mol=0.4 m
The answer is 0.4 m (or 0.4 mol/kg). Notice we used the mass of water (500 g), not the mass of the solution (which would be 536 g).
Common Mistake to Avoid
Do not use the mass of the solution in the denominator. The formula specifically asks for the mass of the solvent alone. If the problem gives you the total mass of the solution, subtract the mass of the solute to find the solvent mass.
When Do You Use Molality?
Molality is the star in two important situations:
-
Colligative properties — properties like boiling point elevation and freezing point depression depend on the number of solute particles per mass of solvent, not per volume. Molality is the natural choice here.
-
Temperature-varying experiments — if you're working at different temperatures, molality keeps your concentration constant while molarity would drift.
Quick Comparison: Molarity vs Molality
| Property | Molarity (M) | Molality (m) |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | moles solute / L solution | moles solute / kg solvent |
| Depends on temperature? | Yes (volume changes) | No (mass is constant) |
| Common unit | mol/L | mol/kg |
| Best used for | Room-temp reactions, titrations | Colligative properties, temperature studies |
Final Takeaway
Molality is the concentration measure that stays honest when temperature changes. It's moles of solute per kilogram of solvent — and that's the whole story. Once you remember that the denominator is solvent mass, not solution volume, you've got it.
"Molality formula and calculation examples" and "molarity vs molality class 12 chemistry" are frequently searched terms, both grounded in the Solutions chapter of the NCERT/CBSE Class 12 Chemistry curriculum. Molality-based numericals are a near-guaranteed question type in board exams and JEE Main colligative-properties problems.
Why this formula?
Molality Calculation: Why the Formula Works
Molality is a measure of concentration that is temperature-independent — this is its key advantage over molarity. Let's understand why the formula takes the form it does.
The Definition First
Molality (m) is defined as:
m=mass of solvent in kgmoles of solute
The unit is mol/kg, often written as m (e.g., 0.5 m glucose solution).
Why Mass of Solvent, Not Solution?
This is the critical conceptual point.
The Reasoning
- Molarity uses volume of solution → volume changes with temperature (expansion/contraction). So molarity changes with temperature.
- Molality uses mass of solvent → mass is invariant with temperature. So molality remains constant regardless of temperature changes.
Key insight: By using the solvent's mass (not the solution's volume), we eliminate temperature dependence. This is why molality is preferred for colligative properties (boiling point elevation, freezing point depression) — these properties depend on the number of solute particles, not on temperature.
Deriving the Formula Step-by-Step
Step 1: Moles of Solute
If you have wsolute grams of solute with molar mass Msolute (g/mol):
moles of solute=Msolutewsolute
Step 2: Mass of Solvent in kg
If the solvent mass is Wsolvent grams:
mass of solvent in kg=1000Wsolvent
Step 3: Putting It Together
m=1000WsolventMsolutewsolute
Simplifying:
m=Msolute×Wsolventwsolute×1000
The Final Formula (Exam-Ready)
m=Msolute×Wsolventwsolute×1000
Where:
- wsolute = mass of solute in grams
- Msolute = molar mass of solute in g/mol
- Wsolvent = mass of solvent in grams
Why the ×1000 Factor?
Because molality requires solvent mass in kg, but we usually measure it in grams. The factor 1000 converts grams to kilograms:
1 kg=1000 g
So if solvent mass is in grams, we multiply by 1000 to get the correct denominator in kg.
Common Mistake to Avoid
Do not use the mass of the solution (solute + solvent) in the denominator. The formula specifically requires mass of solvent only.
Example: If you dissolve 10 g NaCl in 90 g water, the solvent mass is 90 g, not 100 g.
Quick Check: Why This Matters in Exams
In problems involving:
- Freezing point depression: ΔTf=Kf×m
- Boiling point elevation: ΔTb=Kb×m
You must use molality, not molarity. The formula above is how you calculate m from given masses.
Bottom line: Molality = moles of solute per kg of solvent. The ×1000 factor is just a unit conversion. The real conceptual leap is understanding why we use solvent mass — for temperature independence.
Concept: Mole fraction from mass percentage
When mass percentage is given, convert masses to moles using molar masses, then apply the mole fraction definition.
Solution:
Assume 100 g of solution. Then benzene = 30 g and carbon tetrachloride = 70 g.
Molar mass of benzene (C6H6) = 78 g mol−1
Molar mass of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) = 154 g mol−1
Moles of benzene: nbenzene=7830=0.385 mol
Moles of CCl4: nCCl4=15470=0.455 mol
Mole fraction of benzene:
χbenzene=nbenzene+nCCl4nbenzene=0.385+0.4550.385=0.8400.385=0.458
The mole fraction of benzene is 0.458.
NCERT's answer key prints 0.459 for benzene (and 0.541 for CCl₄) — a last-digit difference that comes from rounding at intermediate steps. The fully-unrounded computation gives xbenzene=0.4583→0.458 (and xCCl4=0.542).
In 100 g solution: 30 g benzene (0.385 mol) and 70 g CCl4 (0.455 mol); mole fraction of benzene =0.385+0.4550.385≈0.458.
Basis: 100 g of solution. 30% by mass benzene ⇒ 30 g benzene and 70 g carbon tetrachloride.
Moles. Molar mass of benzene C6H6=78 g mol−1; of CCl4=154 g mol−1:
nbenzene=7830=0.385 mol,nCCl4=15470=0.455 mol.
Mole fraction of benzene.
xbenzene=nbenzene+nCCl4nbenzene=0.385+0.4550.385=0.8400.385≈0.458.
The mole fraction of benzene is approximately 0.458.
NCERT's answer key prints 0.459 for benzene (and 0.541 for CCl₄) — a last-digit difference that comes from rounding at intermediate steps. The fully-unrounded computation gives xbenzene=0.4583→0.458 (and xCCl4=0.542).
Mole Fraction of Benzene in a Solution with Carbon Tetrachloride
1. Concept First — Mass Percentage to Mole Fraction
This problem tests your ability to convert mass percentage into mole fraction — a fundamental skill in solution chemistry. The key idea is:
- Mass percentage tells us the mass of each component in 100 g of solution.
- Mole fraction tells us the ratio of moles of one component to total moles.
The intuition: Even though we're given mass, chemistry happens in moles (particles). So we must convert mass → moles using molar masses, then find the fraction. (Mole fraction is also the quantity later chapters and laws — such as Raoult's law — work with, which is why this conversion skill matters.)
2. Step-by-Step Solution
Step 1: Interpret the given data
We have a solution containing 30% by mass of benzene in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).
This means:
- In 100 g of solution:
- Mass of benzene = 30 g
- Mass of carbon tetrachloride = 100 g − 30 g = 70 g
Step 2: Find molar masses
We need the molar masses of both substances:
-
Benzene (C6H6):
- Carbon: 6×12=72
- Hydrogen: 6×1=6
- Molar mass = 78 g/mol
-
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4):
- Carbon: 1×12=12
- Chlorine: 4×35.5=142
- Molar mass = 154 g/mol
Step 3: Calculate moles of each component
Using the formula: moles=molar massmass
- Moles of benzene:
nbenzene=7830=0.3846 mol
- Moles of carbon tetrachloride:
nCCl4=15470=0.4545 mol
Step 4: Calculate total moles
ntotal=nbenzene+nCCl4
ntotal=0.3846+0.4545=0.8391 mol
Step 5: Calculate mole fraction of benzene
Mole fraction is defined as:
χbenzene=ntotalnbenzene
χbenzene=0.83910.3846=0.4584
3. Final Answer
χbenzene=0.458
(Rounded to three significant figures. NCERT's answer key prints 0.459 — a last-digit difference from rounding at intermediate steps; the fully-unrounded computation gives 0.458.)
4. Why It Works & Exam Tip
Why this approach works:
- Mass percentage gives a convenient 100 g sample to work with.
- Converting to moles is essential because mole fraction is a mole-based quantity.
- The calculation is simply: moles of benzene ÷ total moles.
Common pitfall to avoid:
✗ Do not directly use mass ratio as mole fraction.
For example, don't write 10030=0.3 as the mole fraction — that's the mass fraction, not mole fraction.
✓ Always convert to moles first — different substances have different molar masses, so equal masses do not mean equal moles.
Quick check:
Since benzene has a lower molar mass (78) than CCl₄ (154), 30 g of benzene gives more moles than you might expect from mass alone. That's why the mole fraction (0.458) is higher than the mass fraction (0.30).
Common Mistakes in Converting Mass Percentage to Mole Fraction
1. Using Mass Fraction Directly as Mole Fraction
The Mistake: Writing mole fraction of benzene = 30/100 = 0.30.
Why it's wrong: 30% by mass is a mass ratio; mole fraction requires converting to moles first, since benzene and CCl4 have different molar masses.
How to avoid: Always convert mass to moles before computing any fraction.
2. Wrong Molar Mass of CCl4
The Mistake: Using CCl4's molar mass as 12+35.5=47.5 (forgetting there are 4 chlorine atoms).
How to avoid: MCCl4=12+4(35.5)=154g/mol.
3. Forgetting the 100 g Basis
The Mistake: Not realizing '30% by mass' means 30 g benzene per 100 g of solution, so the solvent mass is 70 g, not 100 g.
How to avoid: Always write: mass of solute + mass of solvent = 100 g when given a mass percentage with no absolute mass stated.
Correct Solution (for reference)
Basis: 100 g solution -> 30 g benzene, 70 g CCl4.
nbenzene=7830=0.385mol,nCCl4=15470=0.455mol
xbenzene=0.385+0.4550.385=0.8400.385≈0.458
Final Answer: Mole fraction of benzene ≈ 0.458.
(NCERT's answer key prints 0.459 for benzene and 0.541 for CCl₄ — a last-digit difference from rounding at intermediate steps; the fully-unrounded computation gives 0.458 and 0.542.)
Showing the 12 most recent of 22 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.The mole fraction of CH3OH in an aqueous solution is 0.02. What is the molality of this solution? (A) 4.52 m (B) 3.39 m (C) 2.26 m (D) 1.13 m
›Reveal solutionSolution
Convert mole fraction of solute directly to molality using m=x1x2⋅M11000, taking M1=18 g/mol for water. Answer: 1.13 m.
Concept and Intuition
Molality (m = moles solute per kg solvent) and mole fraction (x2 = moles solute per total moles) are both intensive composition measures, so one converts to the other purely through mole-count and molar-mass arithmetic — no need to assume any solution volume or density, which is exactly why molality/mole-fraction problems are solvable without extra data (unlike molarity, which needs density).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given x2 (mole fraction of CH3OH) =0.02, so x1 (mole fraction of water) =1−0.02=0.98.
- Take a basis of 1 mole total solution: moles of CH3OH, n2=0.02; moles of water, n1=0.98.
- Mass of water (solvent) =n1×M1=0.98×18 g/mol=17.64 g=0.01764 kg.
- Molality m=mass of solvent in kgn2=0.01764 kg0.02 mol=1.134 mol/kg.
- So m≈1.13 m.
Common Mistakes
- Dividing moles of solute by the total moles (giving back the mole fraction) instead of by moles/mass of solvent only.
- Using the wrong molar mass for water (must use M1=18 g/mol, the solvent's molar mass, not the solute's).
- Forgetting to convert grams of solvent to kilograms before dividing (molality is defined per kg, not per gram).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — 1.13 m.
ANSWER: D
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.The mole fraction of NaOH in aqueous NaOH solution is 0.02. What is the volume (in mL) of this solution that reacts completely with 1L of 0.5 M HCl solution? (density of water = 1 g mL−1) (A) 220.5 (B) 661.5 (C) 441.3 (D) 882.6
›Reveal solutionSolution
Find the NaOH needed to neutralize 0.5 mol HCl (= 0.5 mol NaOH), back out the water present at xNaOH=0.02, and convert that water's mass to volume using its density — giving ≈441 mL.
Concept and Intuition
Mole fraction directly links the moles of solute to the moles of solvent present. Once we know exactly how many moles of NaOH must be present (fixed by the stoichiometric neutralization requirement), the mole-fraction relation pins down exactly how much water accompanies it — and hence, via water's known density, the volume of solution.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Moles of HCl = 1 L×0.5 mol/L=0.5 mol.
- NaOH+HCl→NaCl+H2O is 1:1, so moles of NaOH required = 0.5 mol.
- Mole fraction: xNaOH=nNaOH+nH2OnNaOH=0.02.
- ⇒nNaOH+nH2O=0.020.5=25⇒nH2O=24.5 mol.
- Mass of water = 24.5×18 g/mol≈441 g.
- Since density of water = 1 gmL−1, this mass of water occupies ≈441 mL — taken as the solution volume (the small volume contribution of the dissolved NaOH is neglected, as is standard practice in this class of problem).
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to subtract nNaOH from the total (25 mol) to isolate nH2O.
- Using the total solution mass (water + NaOH) instead of just the water mass to compute volume — that overshoots to ≈461 mL, not among the answer choices.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — 441.3.
ANSWER: C
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.A solid solute is dissolved in water. The mole fraction of solute is 0.02. What is the molality of the solution? (A) 2.133 m (B) 2.5 m (C) 1.5 m (D) 1.133 m
›Reveal solutionSolution
Convert mole fraction to molality by picking a convenient basis (1 mol total) and computing the solvent's mass. Answer: 1.133 m.
Concept and Intuition
Mole fraction and molality are related but different concentration scales: mole fraction is a ratio of moles, while molality is moles of solute per kilogram of solvent. To convert, assume a convenient total amount (1 mole of solution), find the moles of each component from the given mole fraction, convert the solvent's moles to a mass, and then compute molality directly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: mole fraction of solute xsolute=0.02, so mole fraction of water xwater=1−0.02=0.98.
- Assume 1 mol of total solution: nsolute=0.02 mol, nwater=0.98 mol.
- Mass of water =nwater×Mwater=0.98×18=17.64 g =0.01764 kg.
- Molality =mass of solvent in kgnsolute=0.017640.02=1.1338 m ≈1.133 m.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to convert the solvent's mass from grams to kilograms before dividing.
- Confusing molality (per kg of solvent) with molarity (per litre of solution) or with mole fraction itself.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — 1.133 m.
ANSWER: D
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.248 g of ethylene glycol (C2H6O2) is added to 200 g of water to prepare antifreeze. What is the molality of resultant solution? (C = 12 u; H = 1 u; O = 16 u) (A) 5 m (B) 10 m (C) 20 m (D) 40 m
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a direct molality calculation: moles of solute per kilogram of solvent.
Concept and Intuition
Molality is defined as moles of solute dissolved per kilogram of solvent (not solution), making it temperature-independent and ideal for colligative-property calculations like antifreeze formulations. Ethylene glycol's molar mass must first be computed from its formula to find the moles present.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Molar mass of C2H6O2: 2(12)+6(1)+2(16)=24+6+32=62 gmol−1.
- Moles of ethylene glycol =62248=4 mol.
- Mass of water (solvent) =200 g=0.200 kg.
- Molality =0.200 kg4 mol=20 m.
Common Mistakes
- Using the mass of the total solution instead of just the solvent (water) in the denominator — molality always uses solvent mass only.
- Forgetting to convert grams of water to kilograms before dividing.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — 20 m.
ANSWER: C
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-AN1 markMCQQ.What is the approximate molality of 10% (w/w) aqueous glucose solution ? (Molar mass of glucose = 180 g mol−1) (A) 0.31 m (B) 0.62 m (C) 0.93 m (D) 1.24 m
›Reveal solutionSolution
Molality uses moles of solute per kg of solvent (not solution). For 10% w/w glucose, 100 g solution = 10 g glucose + 90 g water, giving molality ≈0.62 m.
Concept and Intuition
Molality is defined relative to the mass of solvent only, unlike mass percent (w/w) which is defined relative to total solution mass. So the first step is always to extract the solvent mass from the given composition before applying m=mass of solvent (kg)nsolute.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Basis: 100 g of solution. 10% (w/w) glucose means 10 g glucose and 100−10=90 g water.
- Moles of glucose =180 g mol−110 g=0.055 mol.
- Mass of solvent (water) in kg =90 g=0.090 kg.
- Molality m=0.090 kg0.0556 mol=0.617 mol kg−1≈0.62 m.
Common Mistakes
- Dividing by the full 100 g of solution instead of the 90 g of solvent (that would give molarity-like, not molality).
- Forgetting to convert grams of solvent to kilograms.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — 0.62 m.
ANSWER: B
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-27-FN1 markMCQQ.A solution is prepared by adding 124 g of ethylene glycol (molar mass =62 g mol−1) to x g of water to get 10 m solution. What is the value of x (in g) ? (A) 100 (B) 400 (C) 800 (D) 200
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a direct molality calculation. 124 g of ethylene glycol is 2 mol; requiring a 10 m solution fixes the water mass at 200 g.
Concept and Intuition
Molality (m) is defined per kilogram of solvent, not solution — it is temperature-independent and depends only on moles of solute and mass of solvent.
m=wsolvent(kg)nsolute
Step-by-Step Solution
- Moles of ethylene glycol =62 g mol−1124 g=2 mol.
- Let mass of water =x g =1000x kg.
- Given molality =10 m:
10=x/10002
- Solve: x/1000=102=0.2 kg ⇒x=200 g.
Common Mistakes
- Using the total solution mass instead of solvent mass (that would be molarity/other concentration units, not molality).
- Arithmetic slip: forgetting to convert kg ↔ g.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — 200.
ANSWER: D
- AP EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-17-AN1 markMCQQ.At 298 K, the density of an aqueous solution containing 82 g of acetic acid per dm3 is 1.01 kgdm−3. If the molarity of the solution is 'x' M, the molality (m) of the same solution is (molar mass of acetic acid =60 gmol−1) (A) (1.856x) m (B) (0.999x) m (C) (0.928x) m (D) (1.077x) m
›Reveal solutionSolution
Converting molarity to molality requires the mass of solvent (not solution), obtained by subtracting the solute's mass from the total solution mass computed via density.
Concept and Intuition
Molarity (mol/L of solution) and molality (mol/kg of solvent) are only related once you know the density of the solution, because you need to convert the solution's volume to solution mass and then subtract the solute mass to get solvent mass.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Molarity: x=60 g/mol82 g=1.36 mol per litre of solution (so moles of acetic acid per litre solution =x).
- Mass of 1 L (1 dm³) of solution =1.01 kg/dm3×1 dm3=1.01 kg=1010 g.
- Mass of solvent (water) =1010−82=928 g =0.928 kg.
- Molality m=kg solventmoles of solute=0.928x=1.0776x≈1.077x.
Common Mistakes
- Dividing by the mass of solution (1.01 kg) instead of the mass of solvent (0.928 kg) to get molality — molality always uses solvent mass only.
- Forgetting to convert the density-derived solution mass from kg to g (or vice versa) consistently.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — (1.077x) m.
ANSWER: D
- AP EAPCET 2023Set ap-2023-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.1.06 g of Na2CO3 (molar mass = 106 g mol−1) is dissolved in 500 g water. What is its molality? (A) 0.2 m (B) 0.02 m (C) 2 m (D) 0.04 m
›Reveal solutionSolution
Direct molality calculation: moles of solute divided by kilograms of solvent gives 0.02 m.
Concept and Intuition
Molality is defined as moles of solute per kilogram of solvent (not solution), making it temperature-independent and convenient for colligative property calculations.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Moles of Na2CO3=106 gmol−11.06 g=0.01 mol.
- Mass of solvent (water) = 500 g = 0.500 kg.
- Molality =0.500 kg0.01 mol=0.02 mol/kg = 0.02 m.
Common Mistakes
- Using the mass of solution instead of solvent (that would give molarity/concentration-like values, not molality).
- Forgetting to convert 500 g to 0.5 kg before dividing.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — 0.02 m.
ANSWER: B
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.The molarity of one molal glucose solution having density of 1.2 g/mL is (A) 0.101 M (B) 1.01 M (C) 2.01 M (D) 0.001 M
›Reveal solutionSolution
Convert 1 molal glucose solution to molarity using the solution's density; molality and molarity differ because molarity is based on total solution volume, not solvent mass. Answer: 1.01 M.
Concept and Intuition
Molality (mol/kg solvent) and molarity (mol/L solution) are numerically close for dilute aqueous solutions but not identical, because molality ignores the solute's contribution to the total solution mass/volume. Density lets us convert between the two using Molarity=1000+m×Mw1000×m×d, where m is molality, d is density (g/mL), and Mw is the solute's molar mass.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Take 1 kg (1000 g) of water as solvent, containing 1 mol glucose (Mw=180 g/mol, so mass = 180 g).
- Total solution mass =1000+180=1180 g.
- Solution volume =densitymass=1.21180≈983.3 mL =0.9833 L.
- Molarity =0.9833 L1 mol≈1.02 M, closest to option 1.01 M.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming molarity equals molality directly without correcting for solution density and solute mass.
- Using the wrong molar mass for glucose (should be 180 g/mol for C6H12O6).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — 1.01 M.
ANSWER: B
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-17-FN1 markMCQQ.The molality of solution, when 18 g of glucose is added to the 18 g of H2O is (A) 0.55 m (B) 2.55 m (C) 5.55 m (D) 55.5 m
›Reveal solutionSolution
Molality is moles of solute per kilogram of solvent; with 0.1 mol glucose in 0.018 kg water, molality =5.55m.
Concept and Intuition
Molality is defined using the mass of solvent (not volume, and not total solution mass), which is exactly why it is temperature-independent and preferred in colligative-property calculations. Here both the solute (glucose) and the solvent (water) are given in grams, so both must first be converted appropriately — glucose to moles, water to kilograms.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Moles of glucose (M=180g/mol): n=180g/mol18g=0.1mol.
- Mass of water in kg: 18g=0.018kg.
- Molality =kg solventnsolute=0.0180.1=5.555…≈5.55m.
Common Mistakes
- Using the mass of the solution (36 g) instead of just the solvent (18 g) in the denominator — that would compute a mass-fraction-like quantity, not molality.
- Forgetting to convert grams of water to kilograms before dividing.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — 5.55 m.
ANSWER: C
- AP EAPCET 2022Set ap-2022-07-11-AN1 markMCQQ.A sample of drinking water has 15 ppm (by mass) of a carcinogen (molar mass 120 g mol−1). The molality of carcinogen in water sample in mol kg−1 is (A) 2.50×10−4 (B) 2.50×10−3 (C) 1.25×10−4 (D) 1.25×10−3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Converting 15 ppm (by mass) of a solute of molar mass 120 g/mol into molality gives 1.25×10−4 mol kg−1.
Concept and Intuition
ppm (parts per million) by mass means grams of solute per million grams of solution; for a dilute aqueous solution, the solution mass is essentially the water mass. Molality is moles of solute per kilogram of solvent, so we convert the mass basis to moles and then to per-kg terms.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 15 ppm by mass ⇒ 15 g of carcinogen per 106 g (=1000 kg) of water.
- Moles of carcinogen =120 g/mol15 g=0.125 mol.
- Molality =kg of solventmoles of solute=1000 kg0.125 mol=1.25×10−4 mol kg−1.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting that ppm is per 106 g, not per 103 g, and misplacing the decimal.
- Confusing molality (per kg solvent) with molarity (per litre solution).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — 1.25×10−4.
ANSWER: C
- AP EAPCET 2022Set ap-2022-07-11-FN1 markMCQQ.The molarity of 10% (w/w) aqueous NaOH solution (density 1.11 g mL−1) (A) 2.50 M (B) 3.25 M (C) 2.78 M (D) 1.52 M
›Reveal solutionSolution
Converts a 10% w/w NaOH solution into molarity using its density and molar mass.
Concept and Intuition
Working with exactly 1 L (1000 mL) of solution makes the arithmetic simplest: the total mass of that litre comes from its density, 10% of that mass is NaOH, and dividing by NaOH's molar mass gives the number of moles present in that one litre — which is the molarity.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Mass of 1 L (1000 mL) of solution =1000×1.11=1110 g.
- Mass of NaOH in it (10% w/w) =0.10×1110=111 g.
- Moles of NaOH =40111=2.775 mol.
- Since this is per litre, molarity ≈2.78 M.
Common Mistakes
- Working with 100 g of solution and forgetting to scale up to 1000 mL before dividing by molar mass.
- Using an incorrect molar mass for NaOH (should be 40 g/mol).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — 2.78 M.
ANSWER: C
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