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Microscopic explanation of colligative properties from the entropy related viewpoint

Physics Asked by 8cold8hot on January 22, 2021

In the chapter 28.6 of book “Concepts in thermal physics “(2nd edition) written by Stephen J. Blundell, there is a sentence says “Adding a small quantity of solute to a solvent increases the entropy of the solvent because the solute atoms are randomly located in the solvent. This means that there is a weaker tendency to form a gas (which would increase the solvent’s entropy) because the entropy of the solvent has been increased anyway. This results in an elevation of the boiling point. Similarly, this additional entropy opposes the tendency to freeze and the freezing point is depressed.”

However, it looks to me that if there is a tendency to form a gas, then raising smaller temperature than the pure substance situation is able to trigger the phase change, which means the boiling point is lowered. Which part is wrong in my thinking?

One Answer

A weaker tendency to form a gas is saying "less likely" or "more difficult" to form a gas. The liquid's entropy increased, it is now at a lower energy. This is all saying it is more stabilized in the liquid relative to being in the gas, which means the vapor pressure is lower. It also means the boiling point is higher.

Answered by user157843 on January 22, 2021

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