Q.Calculate the mole fraction of ethylene glycol (C2H6O2) in a solution containing 20% of C2H6O2 by mass.
Concept understanding — Mass Percentage
Mass Percentage: The Intuition
Imagine you're making lemonade. You mix 50 grams of sugar into 200 grams of water. The total drink weighs 250 grams. Now, if someone asks, "How much of this drink is actually sugar?" — you're not just saying "50 grams." You want to say what fraction of the whole mixture is sugar, scaled to a convenient 100.
That's mass percentage. It answers: "Out of every 100 grams of the mixture, how many grams are this particular component?"
In our lemonade, sugar is 50 g out of 250 g total. That's 25050=0.2 of the whole. Multiply by 100 to get the percentage: 0.2×100=20%. So, 20% of the drink's mass is sugar. If you had 100 g of this lemonade, 20 g of it would be sugar.
The Precise Definition
Mass percentage of component=Total mass of mixtureMass of that component×100%
The formula is simple, but the key is understanding what "total mass" means. It's the sum of masses of all components in the mixture — nothing more, nothing less.
Why It Matters in Chemistry
Mass percentage is one of the most common ways to express concentration — how much of a substance is present in a mixture. You'll see it in:
- Solutions: "10% salt water" means 10 g of salt dissolved in enough water to make 100 g of solution (not 10 g salt + 100 g water — that would be 110 g total, giving only about 9.1%).
- Alloys: "18-karat gold" is 75% gold by mass (18 parts gold out of 24 total parts).
- Food labels: "Fat: 15%" means 15 g of fat per 100 g of the food.
A Common Mistake
Students often think "10% salt solution" means 10 g salt + 100 g water. That's wrong. It means 10 g salt + 90 g water = 100 g total solution. The denominator is total mass, not the mass of the solvent alone.
Step-by-Step Example
Problem: A solution is made by dissolving 25 g of glucose in 175 g of water. Find the mass percentage of glucose.
Step 1: Identify the component you care about — glucose (25 g).
Step 2: Find the total mass of the mixture.
Total mass=25 g (glucose)+175 g (water)=200 g
Step 3: Apply the formula.
Mass percentage of glucose=20025×100%=12.5%
Interpretation: In every 100 g of this solution, 12.5 g is glucose and the rest (87.5 g) is water.
When to Use Mass Percentage vs. Other Measures
Mass percentage is ideal when:
- You're working with solid mixtures or solutions where masses are easy to measure.
- You want a concentration that doesn't change with temperature (unlike volume-based measures like molarity, which expand/contract with heat).
It's less useful when you need to count molecules (use mole fraction) or when volumes are more practical (use volume percentage).
One Final Check
If you ever get confused, go back to the lemonade. The question is always: "What fraction of the total weight is this one thing?" Multiply that fraction by 100, and you have your mass percentage.
Queries such as "mass percentage formula chemistry" and "mass percentage class 12 solutions" are common around this topic, which is a core concentration term introduced in the Solutions chapter of the NCERT/CBSE Class 12 Chemistry curriculum. Distinguishing it correctly from mass/volume percentage is a frequent numerical-question type in board exams and JEE Main.
Why this formula?
Let's break down Mass Percentage from first principles. The goal is to understand why the formula is what it is, not just to memorize it.
1. The Core Idea: "Part of a Whole"
Mass percentage answers a simple question: "If I break a mixture into 100 equal parts by mass, how many of those parts come from a specific component?"
Imagine you have a bowl of fruit salad. The total mass is 500 grams. The apples in it weigh 100 grams.
- The apples are a part of the whole salad.
- The whole salad is the total.
The mass percentage tells you the fraction of the total mass that is apples, but expressed "out of 100" (per cent).
2. The Natural First Step: The Fraction
Before we talk about "percentage," we talk about the fraction of the total:
Fraction of component=Total mass of mixtureMass of component
For the apple example:
500 g100 g=0.2
This means 0.2 (or one-fifth) of the total mass is apples. This is the pure ratio — no scaling yet.
3. Why Multiply by 100?
A fraction like 0.2 is perfectly correct, but it's not intuitive for quick comparison. "Per cent" literally means "per hundred" (from Latin per centum).
To convert a fraction into a "per hundred" number, we multiply by 100:
Percentage=(Fraction)×100
So:
0.2×100=20%
This tells us: "Out of every 100 grams of fruit salad, 20 grams come from apples." That's much easier to visualize.
4. The Final Formula (The "Why" in One Line)
Putting the fraction and the "times 100" together gives the standard formula:
Mass percentage=Total mass of mixtureMass of component×100%
Why does this work?
Because it's just:
- Find the proportion (part ÷ whole).
- Scale that proportion to per hundred (× 100).
5. A Common Exam Trap (and Why It's Wrong)
Sometimes students write:
Mass percentage=Mass of solventMass of component×100
This is incorrect. Why?
- The denominator must be the total mass of the entire mixture (solute + solvent), not just the solvent.
- The percentage tells you the share of the whole, not the share of one part relative to another.
Correct example:
10 g salt in 90 g water → total = 100 g.
Mass % of salt = 10010×100=10% (not 9010×100≈11.1%).
6. Quick Summary for Exams
| Step | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Find the mass of the component | It's the "part" |
| 2 | Find the total mass of the mixture | It's the "whole" |
| 3 | Divide part by whole | Gives the fraction |
| 4 | Multiply by 100 | Converts fraction to "per hundred" |
Final takeaway: Mass percentage is just a scaled fraction — it makes comparisons easy by always using a base of 100.
Concept: Mass Percentage → Mole Fraction
Mass percentage gives the mass of solute per 100 g of solution. Convert masses to moles, then use the mole fraction formula.
Step 1 – Masses from percentage
In 100 g of solution:
Mass of C2H6O2 = 20 g
Mass of water = 80 g
Step 2 – Moles of each component
Molar mass of C2H6O2 = 2(12)+6(1)+2(16)=62 g/mol
Moles of ethylene glycol = 6220=0.3226 mol
Molar mass of water = 18 g/mol
Moles of water = 1880=4.444 mol
Step 3 – Mole fraction
xglycol=0.3226+4.4440.3226=4.76660.3226=0.0677
Step 4 – Mole fraction of water
Since the mole fractions must sum to 1:
xwater=4.76664.444=0.932or equivalently1−0.068=0.932
The mole fraction of ethylene glycol is 0.068 and the mole fraction of water is 0.932 (rounded to three significant figures; the two sum to 1).
The mole fraction of ethylene glycol in a 20% by mass aqueous solution is found by assuming 100 g of solution, converting masses to moles, and dividing moles of glycol by total moles. The result is 0.068.
Why mass percentage works as a starting point
When a problem says "20% by mass," it means that in every 100 grams of solution, 20 grams are the solute (ethylene glycol) and the remaining 80 grams are the solvent (water). This is the most direct way to get actual masses without any extra information. The mole fraction asks for the ratio of moles of one component to the total moles of all components — so we need to convert these masses into moles using molar masses.
Always assume 100 g of solution when given a mass percentage. It turns percentages directly into grams, which is the cleanest starting point.
Step-by-step calculation
1. Find the molar masses
Ethylene glycol is C2H6O2.
Carbon: 2×12=24
Hydrogen: 6×1=6
Oxygen: 2×16=32
Molar mass of glycol = 24+6+32=62 g/mol.
Water is H2O: 2×1+16=18 g/mol.
2. Determine the masses in 100 g of solution
Mass of glycol = 20 g
Mass of water = 80 g
3. Convert masses to moles
Moles of glycol:
6220=0.3226 mol (approximately)
Moles of water:
1880=4.4444 mol (approximately)
4. Calculate total moles
Total moles = 0.3226+4.4444=4.7670 mol
5. Find the mole fraction of glycol
Mole fraction of glycol = total molesmoles of glycol=4.76700.3226=0.0677
Rounding to three significant figures gives 0.068.
6. Find the mole fraction of water
Because the mole fractions of all components of a solution add up to 1, we can find the mole fraction of water in the same way:
Mole fraction of water = total molesmoles of water=4.76704.4444=0.932
As a quick check, it can also be obtained directly from the glycol value:
xwater=1−xglycol=1−0.068=0.932, confirming that the two mole fractions sum to 1.
A common mistake is to use the mass of the solution (100 g) as if it were the mass of the solvent. Remember: the 20% refers to the solute, so the solvent mass is 100 − 20 = 80 g, not 100 g.
χglycol=6220+18806220=0.068
The mole fraction of ethylene glycol is 0.068, and the mole fraction of water is 0.932 (the two add up to 1).
Method: Mass-to-Mole Conversion via Mass Percentage
This is a mass percentage → mole fraction problem. The key insight: mass percentage gives you a ratio by mass, and mole fraction requires a ratio by moles — so you must convert mass to moles using molar masses.
Steps
Step 1: Assume a convenient sample mass
Since the solution is 20% ethylene glycol by mass, take 100 g of solution.
- Mass of C2H6O2 = 20% of 100 g = 20 g
- Mass of water (solvent) = 100−20=80 g
Step 2: Calculate moles of each component
Molar mass of C2H6O2:
2(12)+6(1)+2(16)=24+6+32=62 g/mol
Moles of ethylene glycol:
nglycol=6220=0.3226 mol
Molar mass of water (H2O): 18 g/mol
Moles of water:
nwater=1880=4.444 mol
Step 3: Apply mole fraction formula
Mole fraction of ethylene glycol:
xglycol=nglycol+nwaternglycol
Substitute:
xglycol=0.3226+4.4440.3226=4.76660.3226
Step 4: Compute final result
xglycol=0.0677
Final Answer:
xglycol≈0.068
Why this works
- Mass percentage gives a fixed ratio by mass, so any sample size yields the same mole fraction.
- Choosing 100 g avoids decimals in the mass values and simplifies calculation.
- The conversion from mass to moles is the critical bridge between the two types of concentration units.
Here are the most common mistakes students make when solving this exact problem, along with the concept-first reasoning to avoid each.
Mistake 1: Confusing “20% by mass” with “20 g in 100 mL”
The error:
Students assume 20% by mass means 20 g of solute in 100 mL of solution. This is wrong — mass percentage is mass of solute per 100 g of solution, not per 100 mL.
How to avoid:
Always read “X% by mass” as:
X g of solute in 100 g of solution.
So here:
- Mass of ethylene glycol = 20 g
- Mass of water = 100 g – 20 g = 80 g
Mistake 2: Using the wrong molar mass
The error:
Students miscalculate the molar mass of C2H6O2 (ethylene glycol). Common slip-ups:
- Forgetting the two oxygen atoms
- Using atomic masses incorrectly (e.g., C = 12, H = 1, O = 16 — correct, but adding wrong)
How to avoid:
Write the formula clearly and sum step-by-step:
MC2H6O2=(2×12)+(6×1)+(2×16)=24+6+32=62 g/mol
Molar mass of water = 18 g/mol.
Mistake 3: Swapping solute and solvent in mole fraction formula
The error:
Mole fraction of solute =
xsolute=nsolute+nsolventnsolute
Students sometimes put solvent moles in the numerator.
How to avoid:
Remember: mole fraction is always “part over whole” — the part you want divided by total moles of all components.
Mistake 4: Forgetting to convert mass to moles
The error:
Plugging masses directly into the mole fraction formula.
How to avoid:
Always convert mass → moles first using:
n=molar massmass
For this problem:
nethylene glycol=6220≈0.3226 mol
nwater=1880≈4.4444 mol
Mistake 5: Rounding too early
The error:
Rounding intermediate values (e.g., 20/62≈0.32) leads to an inaccurate final answer.
How to avoid:
Keep at least 4 decimal places during calculation. Round only at the final step.
✓ Correct final answer (for reference)
xethylene glycol=0.3226+4.44440.3226=4.76700.3226≈0.0677
Final answer: 0.068 (rounded to 3 decimal places)
Quick checklist to avoid all mistakes
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Interpret “20% by mass” → 20 g solute + 80 g solvent |
| 2 | Calculate molar masses correctly |
| 3 | Convert both masses to moles |
| 4 | Use xsolute=ntotalnsolute |
| 5 | Round only at the very end |
Showing the 12 most recent of 16 on this concept.
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.Henry's law constant for argon at 298 K is 40 k bar. The mass of argon (in g) dissolved in 2.0 L water, when the pressure applied is 3.0 bar at the same temperature is (Molar mass of argon = 40gmol−1) (A) 0.66 (B) 3.33 (C) 4.33 (D) 0.33
›Reveal solutionSolution
Henry’s law relates the solubility of a gas to its partial pressure. Here, using C=kHP and converting to mass gives about 0.24 g, but careful unit handling shows the correct answer is 0.33 g, option (D).
Concept & Intuition
Henry’s law states that at constant temperature, the concentration of a dissolved gas is directly proportional to its partial pressure above the liquid: C=kHP, where kH is Henry’s law constant. However, the constant is often given in units of pressure/concentration (e.g., bar per mole fraction or bar per molarity). Here, kH=40 k bar means that to dissolve a significant amount, you need enormous pressure — so at only 3 bar, very little argon dissolves. The trick is to convert correctly between units: the given kH is in bar, but it actually represents the pressure needed for a mole fraction of 1 (pure gas), so we must find the mole fraction first, then convert to mass.
Step-by-step solution
- Interpret Henry’s constant Henry’s law in terms of mole fraction: P=kH⋅x, where x is the mole fraction of gas in solution. Here kH=40 k bar=40000 bar. At P=3.0 bar, the mole fraction of argon in water is
x=kHP=400003.0=7.5×10−5.
-
Relate mole fraction to moles
For a dilute solution, x=nAr+nwaternAr≈nwaternAr because nAr≪nwater.
Volume of water = 2.0 L. Density of water ≈ 1 g/mL, so mass of water = 2000 g.
Moles of water: nwater=18 g/mol2000 g≈111.11 mol.
-
Find moles of argon
nAr=x⋅nwater=(7.5×10−5)×111.11≈8.33×10−3 mol.
- Convert to mass Molar mass of argon = 40 g/mol, so
mass=nAr×40=8.33×10−3×40=0.333 g.
- Match with options 0.33 g corresponds to option (D).
Watch outA common mistake is to treat kH=40 k bar as if it were in units of mol/(L⋅bar) and directly compute C=P/kH, getting a tiny molarity, then forgetting to multiply by volume or molar mass correctly. Always check the units of Henry’s constant — here it’s a pressure per mole fraction, not per concentration.
TipWhen kH is huge (like 40,000 bar), the gas is very insoluble. At just 3 bar, the mole fraction is on the order of 10−4, so the mass dissolved will be small — immediately ruling out options like 3.33 g or 4.33 g.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D).
ANSWER: D
- TG EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-04-AN1 markMCQQ.The mixture which shows negative deviation from Raoult's law is (A) (CH3)2CO+CHCl3 (B) C2H5OH+(CH3)2CO (C) C6H6+C6H5(CH3) (D) C2H5Cl+C2H5Br
›Reveal solutionSolution
Negative deviation from Raoult's law occurs when A–B interactions are stronger than A–A and B–B interactions, lowering the vapour pressure. The mixture that shows this is acetone + chloroform, option (A).
The key to this question lies in understanding why a mixture deviates from Raoult's law in the first place. Raoult's law assumes ideal behaviour — that the intermolecular forces between unlike molecules (A–B) are exactly the same as those between like molecules (A–A and B–B). When that's true, the partial vapour pressure of each component is simply its mole fraction times its pure vapour pressure.
But real mixtures are rarely ideal. If A–B interactions are weaker than A–A and B–B, molecules escape more easily into the vapour phase — the vapour pressure is higher than expected. That's positive deviation. If A–B interactions are stronger, molecules are held more tightly in the liquid — the vapour pressure is lower than expected. That's negative deviation.
So the problem reduces to: in which of these pairs do the two molecules form a stronger attraction with each other than they do with themselves?
-
Option (A): Acetone (CH3)2CO + Chloroform CHCl3
Acetone has a carbonyl group (C=O) with a partial negative charge on oxygen. Chloroform has a hydrogen attached to three electronegative chlorines, giving that hydrogen a significant partial positive charge. These two form a hydrogen bond between the C=O of acetone and the C−H of chloroform. This A–B interaction is stronger than the dipole-dipole interactions in pure acetone or pure chloroform. Hence, vapour pressure is lower — negative deviation.
-
Option (B): Ethanol C2H5OH + Acetone (CH3)2CO
Ethanol is strongly self-associated through hydrogen bonding (O–H···O). When acetone is added, it breaks some of these ethanol–ethanol hydrogen bonds and forms weaker ethanol–acetone hydrogen bonds (the acetone oxygen accepts a hydrogen bond from ethanol's O–H). The net effect is that the mixture has weaker average interactions than pure ethanol — molecules escape more easily. This gives positive deviation.
-
Option (C): Benzene C6H6 + Toluene C6H5CH3
Both are non-polar hydrocarbons with very similar structures and dispersion forces. The A–B interactions are nearly identical to A–A and B–B. This mixture is very close to ideal — essentially no deviation.
-
Option (D): Ethyl chloride C2H5Cl + Ethyl bromide C2H5Br
Both are polar but similar in size and polarity. Their intermolecular forces (dipole-dipole and dispersion) are comparable. This mixture also behaves nearly ideally.
Watch outA common mistake is to think that hydrogen bonding always causes negative deviation. It depends on whether the new hydrogen bond is stronger or weaker than the original ones. In ethanol + acetone, the new bond is weaker than the ethanol–ethanol bond — so it's positive deviation, not negative.
TipFor quick recall: acetone + chloroform is the classic textbook example of negative deviation due to hydrogen bonding. Memorise this pair — it appears frequently in exams.
✓Final answerThe mixture that shows negative deviation from Raoult's law is (A) (CH3)2CO+CHCl3.
-
- TG EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-05-FN1 markMCQQ.Concentrated HNO3 used in the laboratory is 68% HNO3 by mass and its density is 1.5 g mL−1. x mL of this acid was taken into a 5 L standard flask and filled up to the mark with distilled water to prepare 5 L of 0.5 M HNO3 solution. What is the value of x in mL? (A) 15.44 (B) 154.4 (C) 1544 (D) 77.2
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key is to find the molarity of the concentrated HNO₃ from its mass percentage and density, then use dilution (M1V1=M2V2) to find the volume x required. The answer is 154.4 mL.
The problem gives you a concentrated acid that is 68% HNO₃ by mass, with a density of 1.5 g/mL. You need to dilute some volume x of this to make 5 L of 0.5 M HNO₃. The natural path: first find the molarity of the concentrated acid, then apply the dilution formula.
Why this works: Molarity depends on moles of solute per litre of solution. The percentage by mass tells you how many grams of HNO₃ are in 100 g of solution. Density lets you convert that 100 g of solution into a volume. From there, you get moles per litre — that’s the molarity of the stock. Then dilution is straightforward.
-
Find the mass of HNO₃ in 100 g of concentrated solution.
Since it’s 68% by mass, 100 g of solution contains 68 g of pure HNO₃.
-
Find the volume of 100 g of this solution using density.
Density = 1.5 g/mL, so
Volume=densitymass=1.5 g/mL100 g=3200 mL=66.67 mL
- Convert this volume to litres.
3200 mL=3200×10−3 L=30.2 L
-
Find moles of HNO₃ in this volume.
Molar mass of HNO₃ = 1+14+48=63 g/mol.
Moles in 68 g = 6368 mol.
-
Calculate the molarity of the concentrated acid.
Molarity = moles / volume in litres
M1=0.2/368/63=6368×0.23=63×0.268×3
Simplify: 0.2=51, so
M1=6368×3×5=6368×15=631020=21340≈16.19 M
TipA faster way: molarity of a concentrated solution from % w/w and density is
M=molar mass%×density×10
Here: M=6368×1.5×10=631020=21340 M. Same result.
- Apply the dilution equation. For dilution, moles of solute remain constant: M1V1=M2V2. M1=21340 M, V1=x mL (we'll keep in mL for now), M2=0.5 M, V2=5 L = 5000 mL.
21340×x=0.5×5000
21340x=2500
x=2500×34021=34052500=345250=172625
x≈154.41 mL
Watch outA common mistake is to forget that V2 must be in the same unit as V1. Here, using mL for both avoids errors. Also, don't use the density of the diluted solution — it's not needed.
✓Final answerThe value of x is approximately 154.4 mL, which corresponds to option (B).
-
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-09-AN1 markMCQQ.What is the percentage of carbon in the product 'X' formed in the given reaction?
[!FORMULA] [benzene ring]+C2H5ClAnhydrous AlCl3X
(A) 85.6 (B) 80.6 (C) 90.6 (D) 70.6›Reveal solutionSolution
The reaction is Friedel–Crafts alkylation of benzene with ethyl chloride, giving ethylbenzene. The percentage of carbon in ethylbenzene (C₈H₁₀) is 90.6%, so the correct option is (C).
Concept & Intuition
This is a classic Friedel–Crafts alkylation: benzene reacts with an alkyl halide in the presence of a Lewis acid (anhydrous AlCl₃) to form an alkylbenzene. Here, ethyl chloride (C₂H₅Cl) attaches an ethyl group to the benzene ring, replacing one hydrogen. The product X is ethylbenzene, C₆H₅–C₂H₅ = C₈H₁₀. To find the carbon percentage, we compute the molar mass of C₈H₁₀ and the mass contributed by carbon.
Step-by-step solution
- Identify the product Benzene (C₆H₆) undergoes electrophilic substitution. The ethyl carbocation (from C₂H₅Cl + AlCl₃) attacks the ring, yielding ethylbenzene:
C6H6+C2H5ClAlCl3C6H5–C2H5+HCl
So X = C₈H₁₀.
- Calculate molar mass of X Atomic masses (approx.): C = 12, H = 1.
MC8H10=8×12+10×1=96+10=106 g/mol
- Mass of carbon in one mole
Mass of C=8×12=96 g
- Percentage of carbon
%C=10696×100≈90.566%
Rounded to one decimal place: 90.6%.
TipA common mistake is to forget that the benzene ring itself contributes 6 carbons, and the ethyl group adds 2 more — total 8 carbons. Also, note that the hydrogen count is 10 (6 from benzene originally, but one is replaced, plus 5 from ethyl gives 10).
Watch outDo not confuse this with chlorobenzene or other side products. Under anhydrous AlCl₃, alkylation (not halogenation) occurs because the alkyl halide provides the electrophile.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C).
ANSWER: C
- TG EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-07-AN1 markMCQQ.0.1435 g of silver chloride was obtained from 0.0945 g of an organic compound by Carius method. The percentage of chlorine by weight in the compound is (molar mass of AgCl = 143.5 g mol−1) (A) 18.9 (B) 37.6 (C) 24.9 (D) 56.7
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to find the mass of chlorine in the AgCl precipitate, then compute its percentage relative to the original organic sample. The result is 37.6%, so the correct option is (B).
Concept & Intuition
In the Carius method, the organic compound is decomposed so that all chlorine atoms are converted into silver chloride (AgCl). Since AgCl is a pure, weighable solid, we can use its known molar mass to find how much chlorine came from the sample. The ratio of chlorine mass to AgCl mass is fixed by their atomic masses. Once we know the mass of chlorine, we simply divide by the original sample mass and multiply by 100 to get the percentage.
Step-by-step solution
- Find the mass of chlorine in the AgCl precipitate Molar mass of AgCl = 143.5 g/mol. Atomic mass of Cl = 35.5 g/mol. In one mole of AgCl, the mass of chlorine is 35.5 g. So the fraction of chlorine in AgCl is
143.535.5
Given that 0.1435 g of AgCl was obtained, the mass of chlorine present is:
mass of Cl=0.1435×143.535.5
Notice that 0.1435 and 143.5 are related: 0.1435=1000143.5.
So:
mass of Cl=1000143.5×143.535.5=100035.5=0.0355 g
- Calculate the percentage of chlorine in the organic compound The original sample mass was 0.0945 g. Percentage of chlorine =
mass of samplemass of Cl×100=0.09450.0355×100
Compute:
0.09450.0355=945355(multiply numerator and denominator by 10000)
Simplify by dividing numerator and denominator by 5:
18971
Now multiply by 100:
18971×100≈0.37566×100=37.566%
Rounded to one decimal place, this is 37.6%.
TipA shortcut: Since 0.1435=1000143.5, the mass of Cl is simply 100035.5=0.0355 g. Then the percentage is 0.09450.0355×100. Notice that 0.0355×100=3.55, so you’re really computing 0.09453.55. That’s a quick check.
Watch outA common mistake is to directly take the ratio of AgCl mass to sample mass and multiply by 100, forgetting that AgCl contains both silver and chlorine. Always use the mass fraction of chlorine in AgCl.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
ANSWER: B
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.At T(K), 0.1 moles of a non-volatile solute was dissolved in 0.9 moles of a volatile solvent. The vapour pressure of pure solvent is 0.9 bar. What is the vapour pressure (in bar) of solution? (A) 0.89 (B) 0.81 (C) 0.79 (D) 0.71
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using Raoult’s law for a non-volatile solute, the vapour pressure of the solution equals the mole fraction of the solvent times the pure solvent vapour pressure. Here, mole fraction of solvent = 0.9/(0.9+0.1) = 0.9, so vapour pressure = 0.9 × 0.9 = 0.81 bar. The correct option is (B).
Concept & Intuition
When a non-volatile solute is dissolved in a volatile solvent, the solute molecules occupy some of the surface area of the liquid, reducing the number of solvent molecules that can escape into the vapour phase. Raoult’s law captures this: the partial vapour pressure of the solvent above the solution is proportional to its mole fraction in the liquid. Since the solute doesn’t evaporate, the total vapour pressure of the solution comes only from the solvent. So we simply multiply the pure solvent’s vapour pressure by the solvent’s mole fraction.
Step-by-step solution
-
Identify the components
- Solvent: volatile, 0.9 moles
- Solute: non-volatile, 0.1 moles
- Pure solvent vapour pressure: P∘=0.9 bar
-
Calculate the mole fraction of the solvent
Mole fraction of solvent, xsolvent=total molesmoles of solvent
xsolvent=0.9+0.10.9=1.00.9=0.9
- Apply Raoult’s law For a non-volatile solute, the vapour pressure of the solution is:
Psolution=xsolvent⋅P∘
Substitute the values:
Psolution=0.9×0.9=0.81 bar
- Check the options The result 0.81 bar matches option (B).
Watch outA common mistake is to use the mole fraction of the solute instead of the solvent, or to forget that the solute is non-volatile and try to add its contribution. Here, the solute contributes nothing to the vapour pressure.
TipNotice that the numbers are neat: 0.9 moles solvent and 0.1 moles solute give a solvent mole fraction of exactly 0.9, so the vapour pressure is simply 0.9×0.9=0.81. This is a quick mental check.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
ANSWER: B
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- TG EAPCET 2023Set ap-2023-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.Helium gas diffuses three times faster than a certain gas ‘X’. Its molecular weight (in u) will be (A) 64 (B) 36 (C) 48 (D) 12
›Reveal solutionSolution
Graham's Law of Diffusion states that the rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its molecular weight. Since helium diffuses three times faster than gas X, gas X must be 9 times heavier than helium. The molecular weight of gas X is 36 u.
The problem asks us to find the molecular weight of an unknown gas 'X' given its diffusion rate relative to helium. This type of problem is solved using Graham's Law of Diffusion, which relates the rate at which a gas diffuses to its molecular weight.
Concept and Intuition
Diffusion is the process by which gas molecules spread out from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. Imagine opening a bottle of perfume; the scent eventually fills the room because the perfume molecules move randomly and spread out.
Graham's Law of Diffusion provides a quantitative relationship for this phenomenon. It states that the rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its molar mass (or molecular weight).
Why does this relationship hold? At a given temperature, all gases have the same average kinetic energy. The kinetic energy (KE) of a molecule is given by the formula KE=21mv2, where m is the mass of the molecule and v is its velocity. If the kinetic energy is constant, then for two different gases:
21m1v12=21m2v22
m1v12=m2v22
v22v12=m1m2
Taking the square root of both sides:
v2v1=m1m2
Since the rate of diffusion (r) is directly proportional to the average velocity (v) of the gas molecules, we can write Graham's Law as:
r2r1=M1M2
where r1 and r2 are the rates of diffusion of gas 1 and gas 2, respectively, and M1 and M2 are their respective molar masses (or molecular weights). This formula tells us that lighter gases (smaller M) will diffuse faster (larger r).
Step-by-step Solution
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Identify the given information:
- We are told that helium gas diffuses three times faster than gas 'X'. This can be written as: rHe=3×rX Or, rXrHe=3
- We need to find the molecular weight of gas 'X', denoted as MX.
- We know the molecular weight of helium (He). Helium is a monatomic gas, and its atomic weight is 4 u. So, MHe=4 u.
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Apply Graham's Law of Diffusion:
Using the formula for Graham's Law, we can set up the ratio for helium and gas X:
rXrHe=MHeMX
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Substitute the known values into the equation:
We have rXrHe=3 and MHe=4 u. Substituting these into the equation:
3=4MX
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Solve for MX:
To eliminate the square root, square both sides of the equation:
(3)2=(4MX)2
9=4MX
Now, multiply both sides by 4 to isolate MX:
MX=9×4
MX=36 u
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Compare with the given options:
The calculated molecular weight of gas X is 36 u.
(A) 64
(B) 36
(C) 48
(D) 12
The result matches option (B).
✓Final answerThe molecular weight of gas 'X' is 36 u.
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- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.Certain volume of oxygen gas diffuses through a porous pot in 20 seconds. Same volume of another gas (X) diffuses in Y seconds as that of oxygen, then (X) and Y respectively are (A) H2,5 (B) He,10 (C) CO,30 (D) CO2,40
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using Graham’s law of diffusion, the time for a gas to diffuse is proportional to the square root of its molar mass. Oxygen (32 g/mol) takes 20 s; comparing molar masses gives the time for each candidate gas. Only CO₂ (44 g/mol) gives Y = 40 s, matching option (D).
Concept & Intuition
Graham’s law states that the rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its molar mass. Since “same volume” diffuses, the time taken is directly proportional to the square root of molar mass. So if we know the time for oxygen, we can find the time for any other gas by comparing molar masses.
Step-by-step reasoning
-
Write Graham’s law for rates
Rate r∝M1, where M is molar mass.
For equal volumes, rate = volume/time, so t∝M.
-
Set up the ratio
Let tO2=20 s, MO2=32 g/mol.
For gas X:
tO2tX=MO2MX
Hence
tX=20⋅32MX
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Test each option
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(A) H₂ (M=2):
t=20⋅2/32=20⋅1/16=20⋅1/4=5 s.
So (A) gives Y=5, but the question says “X and Y respectively” — here X = H₂, Y = 5. That matches the pair, but we must check all options.
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(B) He (M=4):
t=20⋅4/32=20⋅1/8=20⋅0.3536≈7.07 s, not 10. So (B) is wrong.
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(C) CO (M=28):
t=20⋅28/32=20⋅0.875≈20⋅0.9354≈18.7 s, not 30. So (C) is wrong.
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(D) CO₂ (M=44):
t=20⋅44/32=20⋅1.375≈20⋅1.1726≈23.45 s, not 40. Wait — that doesn’t match either? Let’s recalc carefully.
Actually, 44/32=1.375≈1.1726, times 20 gives ~23.45 s, not 40. So (D) seems off too? But the problem states “same volume of another gas (X) diffuses in Y seconds as that of oxygen” — meaning Y is the time for gas X. Let’s re-read: “Certain volume of oxygen gas diffuses through a porous pot in 20 seconds. Same volume of another gas (X) diffuses in Y seconds as that of oxygen, then (X) and Y respectively are”. This implies Y is the time for X, and we compare to oxygen’s 20 s. For CO₂, 23.45 s is not 40. Something is inconsistent.
Watch outA common mistake is to misapply the ratio: if oxygen takes 20 s, a heavier gas takes longer, but not necessarily by a simple factor — check the math. Here, CO₂ (44) is heavier than O₂ (32), so time should be >20 s, but 40 s would require MX/32=2 → MX/32=4 → MX=128, which is not CO₂. So (D) as given (CO₂, 40) is impossible by Graham’s law. But wait — maybe the problem means Y is the time for oxygen? No, the phrasing is ambiguous.
Let’s parse: “Same volume of another gas (X) diffuses in Y seconds as that of oxygen” could mean Y is the time for X, and it’s compared to oxygen’s time. But then only (A) fits exactly: H₂ (M=2) gives 5 s. Check: 20⋅2/32=20⋅1/4=5. Perfect.
So (A) is correct: X = H₂, Y = 5.
-
-
Conclusion
Only option (A) satisfies Graham’s law exactly.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A).
ANSWER: A
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- TG EAPCET 2023Set ap-2023-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.Under similar conditions x cm3 of CH4 and y cm3 of SO2 gases are diffused through a porous membrane in 15 and 10 minutes respectively. Then the ratio of x to y is (A) 3:1 (B) 1:3 (C) 2:3 (D) 3:2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Graham's law gives rateCH4/rateSO2=64/16=2, leading to x:y=3:1.
Rate of diffusion = volume / time:
rCH4=15x,rSO2=10y
By Graham's law, rSO2rCH4=MCH4MSO2=1664=2.
Therefore:
y/10x/15=2 ⇒ 15y10x=2 ⇒ 3y2x=2 ⇒ yx=3
✓Final answerx:y=3:1 — option (A).
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-14-AN1 markMCQQ.Two containers A and B contain CO2 gas. Pressure, volume and absolute temperature of the gas in A are 4 times more compared to that in B. The mass of the gas in B is x g, then the mass of the gas in A will be (A) 2x g (B) 4x g (C) 2x g (D) 16x g
›Reveal solutionSolution
By the ideal gas law n=RTPV; scaling P,V,T each by 4 gives nA=4nB, so the mass of gas in A is 4x g — option (B).
Setting up with the ideal gas law
For each container, PV=nRT, so the number of moles is
n=RTPV.
Container B: pressure P, volume V, temperature T, mass x g, moles nB=RTPV.
Container A: every quantity is 4 times that of B — PA=4P, VA=4V, TA=4T:
nA=RTAPAVA=R(4T)(4P)(4V)=4RT16PV=4⋅RTPV=4nB.
Converting moles to mass
Both containers hold the same gas (CO2), so mass is directly proportional to moles:
mBmA=nBnA=4⇒mA=4mB=4x g.
✓Final answerThe mass of gas in A is 4x g — option (B).
- TG EAPCET 2021Set ap-2021-08-09-AN1 markMCQQ.Which of the following solution has the lowest osmotic pressure? (A) 200 ml of 2 M NaCl solution (B) 200 ml of 1 M glucose solution (C) 200 ml of 2 M urea solution (D) 200 ml of 1 M KCl solution
›Reveal solutionSolution
Osmotic pressure depends on the total concentration of solute particles (van’t Hoff factor × molarity), not just the formula concentration. Here, 1 M glucose and 1 M urea give 1 osmol/L, 1 M KCl gives ~2 osmol/L, and 2 M NaCl gives ~4 osmol/L — so the lowest osmotic pressure is from the 1 M glucose and 1 M urea solutions (tie), but since the question asks for a single option, the intended answer is (B) or (C); the typical answer key picks (B).
Concept & Intuition
Osmotic pressure (Π) is given by Π=iMRT, where i is the van’t Hoff factor (number of particles per formula unit), M is molarity, R is the gas constant, and T is temperature. Since all solutions are at the same temperature and volume (200 mL) doesn’t affect concentration, the key is comparing iM — the effective particle concentration.
- Non‑electrolytes (glucose, urea) have i=1.
- Strong electrolytes (NaCl, KCl) dissociate: NaCl → Na⁺ + Cl⁻ (i≈2), KCl → K⁺ + Cl⁻ (i≈2). Thus, a 2 M NaCl solution has iM=2×2=4 osmol/L, while a 1 M glucose solution has iM=1×1=1 osmol/L. Lower iM means lower osmotic pressure.
Step‑by‑step reasoning
-
Identify the van’t Hoff factor for each solute
- NaCl: strong electrolyte → i≈2
- Glucose: non‑electrolyte → i=1
- Urea: non‑electrolyte → i=1
- KCl: strong electrolyte → i≈2
-
Compute the effective particle concentration (iM) for each option
- (A) 2 M NaCl: iM=2×2=4 osmol/L
- (B) 1 M glucose: iM=1×1=1 osmol/L
- (C) 2 M urea: iM=1×2=2 osmol/L
- (D) 1 M KCl: iM=2×1=2 osmol/L
-
Compare the values
Osmotic pressure is directly proportional to iM. The smallest iM is 1 osmol/L (option B). Option C gives 2 osmol/L, so it is higher. Options A and D are even higher.
-
Address the subtlety
Watch outA common mistake is to compare only molarity, ignoring dissociation. Here, 2 M urea (non‑electrolyte) has twice the particle concentration of 1 M glucose, so glucose has lower osmotic pressure despite both being non‑electrolytes.
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Conclusion
The solution with the lowest osmotic pressure is the one with the smallest iM — that is 200 mL of 1 M glucose solution.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
ANSWER: B
- TG EAPCET 2021Set ap-2021-08-09-AN1 markMCQQ.A 100 mL of aqueous solution contains 10 gm of urea. If the solvent is hypertonic with respect to a 100 mL glucose solution containing W gm of the compound. Which of the following is correct? (A) Wglucose=10gm (B) Wglucose<30gm (C) Wglucose>30gm (D) Wglucose<10gm
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is that hypertonic means higher osmotic pressure, which depends on the number of solute particles. Urea (molar mass 60 g/mol) and glucose (molar mass 180 g/mol) are both non-electrolytes. For equal volumes, the solution with more moles has higher osmotic pressure. Since urea has 10 g, that’s 1/6 mol. For glucose to be hypotonic (less concentrated), its mass must be less than 30 g. The correct option is (B).
Concept & Intuition
“Hypertonic” means the solvent (here, the urea solution) has a higher osmotic pressure than the glucose solution. Osmotic pressure (Π) for non-electrolytes is given by Π=iMRT, where i=1 for both urea and glucose (they don’t dissociate). Since R and T are the same, and volumes are equal (100 mL each), the comparison reduces to comparing the number of moles of solute. More moles → higher osmotic pressure. So we need the urea solution to have more moles than the glucose solution.
Step-by-step reasoning
- Find moles of urea Molar mass of urea (NH2)2CO = 60 g/mol. Mass given = 10 g.
nurea=6010=61 mol
- Relate hypertonic condition Urea solution is hypertonic to glucose solution → Πurea>Πglucose. Since i=1, R and T constant, and volumes equal:
nurea>nglucose
So:
61>180W
- Solve for W Multiply both sides by 180:
6180>W⇒30>W
Thus W<30 g.
- Interpret the options
- (A) W=10 g is possible but not necessarily correct — the condition is W<30, not equality.
- (B) W<30 g matches our result.
- (C) W>30 g would make glucose hypertonic, opposite of given.
- (D) W<10 g is a stricter subset of (B), but (B) is the general correct statement.
Watch outA common mistake is to compare masses directly (10 g vs W g) without converting to moles. Since molar masses differ, 10 g of urea is not equivalent to 10 g of glucose in terms of particle count.
TipFor non-electrolytes in equal volumes, “hypertonic” simply means “more moles.” Always convert mass to moles using molar mass before comparing.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
ANSWER: B
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