Question 37
Explain why on addition of 1 mole of NaCl to 1L of water, the boiling point of water increases, while addition of 1 mole of methyl alcohol to 1 L of water decreases its boiling point.
NaCl is a non-volatile solute. So, its addition to water lowers the vapour pressure of the water. Hence, boiling point of water (solution) increases. Whereas methyl alcohol is more volatile than water.
So, its addition to water increases the total vapour pressure over the solution. It results in the decrease of boiling point.