An aqueous solution of 2% non-volatile solute exerts a pressure of 1.004 bar at the normal boiling point of the solvent. The molar mass of the solute is -

1. 53.50 g mol-1

2. 43.5 kg mol-1

3. 22.6 kg mol-1

4. 41.35 g mol-1

Hint: Use relative lowering of vapour pressure formula

Step 1:

Here,

Vapour pressure of the solution at normal boiling point (p1) = 1.004 bar

Vapour pressure of pure water at normal boiling point (p10)=1.013 bar

2% non-volatile solute means at 100 g solution 2g solute is present in the solution.

Mass of solute, (w2) = 2 g

Mass of solvent (water), (w1) = 98 g

The molar mass of solvent (water), (M1) = 18 g mol−1

Step 2:

According to Raoult’s law,

\(\frac{P_{1}^{o}-P_{1}}{P_{1}^{o}}=X_{solute}\)

p10-p1p10=w2×M1M2×w1
1.013-1.0041.013=2×18M2×98
0.0091.013=2×18M2×98
M2=1.013×2×180.009×98
=41.35 g mol-1

Hence, the molar mass of the solute is 41.35 g mol-1