Ideal solution

An ideal solution or ideal mixture is a solution that exhibits thermodynamic properties analogous to those of a mixture of ideal gases.[1] The enthalpy of mixing is zero[2] as is the volume change on mixing by definition; the closer to zero the enthalpy of mixing is, the more "ideal" the behavior of the solution becomes. The vapor pressures of the solvent and solute obey Raoult's law and Henry's law, respectively,[3] and the activity coefficient (which measures deviation from ideality) is equal to one for each component.[4]

The concept of an ideal solution is fundamental to both thermodynamics and chemical thermodynamics and their applications, such as the explanation of colligative properties.

  1. ^ Felder, Richard M.; Rousseau, Ronald W.; Bullard, Lisa G. (2005). Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes. Wiley. p. 293. ISBN 978-0471687573.
  2. ^ A to Z of Thermodynamics Pierre Perrot ISBN 0-19-856556-9
  3. ^ Felder, Richard M.; Rousseau, Ronald W.; Bullard, Lisa G. (15 December 2004). Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes. Wiley. p. 293. ISBN 978-0471687573.
  4. ^ IUPAC, Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book") (1997). Online corrected version: (2006–) "ideal mixture". doi:10.1351/goldbook.I02938