MCQEasyJEE 2026Raoult's Law & Vapour Pressure

JEE Chemistry 2026 Question with Solution

Which one of the following graphs accurately represents the plot of partial pressure of CS2CS_2 vs its mole fraction in a mixture of acetone and CS2CS_2 at constant temperature?

Four graph options showing pressure versus mole fraction of CS2 for acetone-CS2 mixture, with curves labeled 1, 2, and 3.Fourth graph option showing pressure versus mole fraction of CS2 with Henry's law and Raoult's law lines for the acetone-CS2 mixture.
  • A

    Graph 1

  • B

    Graph 2

  • C

    Graph 3

  • D

    Graph 4

Answer

Correct answer:A

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: A mixture of acetone and CS2CS_2 at constant temperature.

Find: Which graph represents the plot of partial pressure of CS2CS_2 versus its mole fraction.

A mixture of acetone and carbon disulfide (CS2CS_2) shows positive deviation from Raoult's law because the intermolecular attractions between acetone-CS2CS_2 are weaker than acetone-acetone or **CS2CS_2-CS_2attractions.** attractions.

In a solution showing positive deviation:

  • The vapor pressure of each component is higher than that predicted by Raoult's law.
  • Therefore, the graph of partial pressure PCS2P_{CS_2} against mole fraction xCS2x_{CS_2} is not a straight line.
  • It is a curve bowed upward.

Positive deviation is often associated with

ΔHmix>0\Delta H_{mix} > 0

and

ΔVmix>0\Delta V_{mix} > 0

So, the correct graph is the one showing positive deviation for partial pressure, which is Graph 1.

Therefore, the correct option is A.

Why positive deviation occurs

Given: Acetone and CS2CS_2 form a non-ideal solution.

Find: The correct qualitative shape of the PCS2P_{CS_2} versus xCS2x_{CS_2} graph.

When unlike molecular interactions are weaker than like molecular interactions, molecules escape more easily into the vapour phase. Hence the observed partial pressure becomes greater than the value predicted by Raoult's law.

Thus, instead of following a linear relation,

PCS2=xCS2PCS2P_{CS_2} = x_{CS_2} P^\circ_{CS_2}

the actual curve lies above the Raoult's law line and bends upward.

So the graph corresponding to upward deviation is selected.

Therefore, the correct option is A.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the solution obeys Raoult's law exactly. This is wrong because acetone-CS2CS_2 interactions are weaker, so the mixture shows positive deviation. Look for an upward-bowed curve, not a straight line.

  • Confusing positive deviation with negative deviation. In negative deviation, stronger unlike interactions lower vapour pressure. Here the vapour pressure is higher than ideal, so the curve must lie above the Raoult's law line.

  • Choosing the graph from total vapour pressure behaviour instead of partial pressure of CS2CS_2. The question specifically asks for PCS2P_{CS_2} versus xCS2x_{CS_2}, so identify the component curve correctly.

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