All questions of Phase Equilibrium for Chemistry Exam

What does Gibb’s phase rule state?
  • a)
    P + F = C - 1
  • b)
    P + F = C + 1
  • c)
    P + F = C - 2
  • d)
    P + F = C + 2
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Vivek Khatri answered
The above phase rule is a formula that gives the condition for finding the number of phases in a system. This phase rule can be applied to both condensed as well as normal systems.

What is the degree of freedom for a mixture of ice and vapour?
  • a)
    1
  • b)
    2
  • c)
    3
  • d)
    4
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

The degree of freedom for a system refers to the number of variables that can be changed independently without affecting the number of phases or components present in the system. In other words, it represents the number of parameters that can be varied while still maintaining the system in equilibrium.

In the case of a mixture of ice and vapor, we have two phases present: solid (ice) and gas (vapor). The number of components in this system is also two: water and air. To determine the degree of freedom, we need to consider the phase rule, which relates the degrees of freedom to the number of phases and components in the system.

The phase rule is given by the equation:

F = C - P + 2

Where F is the degree of freedom, C is the number of components, and P is the number of phases.

In this case, we have:

C = 2 (water and air)
P = 2 (solid and gas)

Substituting these values into the phase rule equation:

F = 2 - 2 + 2
F = 2

Therefore, the degree of freedom for a mixture of ice and vapor is 2.

Select the wrong statements from the following statements with respect to a phase diagram.
  • a)
    Gives information about concentration
  • b)
    Gives information about solubility
  • c)
    Gives information on melting and boiling points
  • d)
    Gives information on relative concentration
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Vivek Khatri answered
A phase diagram gives information only on the concentration of species, their solubility rate, degree of freedom and other physical properties. It does not explain about transformation rates and relative concentration (relative concentration=total concentration/equilibrium concentration).

Select the odd statement with respect to a phase reaction.
  • a)
    Saturated solution
  • b)
    Equilibrium solution
  • c)
    Concentric solution
  • d)
    Amorphous solution
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Kunal Goyal answered
Explanation:
Phase reactions refer to the changes that occur when matter transitions from one phase to another, such as from a solid to a liquid or a gas to a liquid. In this context, let's analyze each statement and determine which one is odd with respect to a phase reaction.

a) Saturated solution:
- A saturated solution is a solution in which the maximum amount of solute has been dissolved at a given temperature and pressure.
- It does not involve a phase transition as it represents a state of equilibrium between the dissolved solute and the undissolved solute.
- Saturated solutions are commonly encountered in various chemical and biological processes.

b) Equilibrium solution:
- An equilibrium solution refers to a system in which the forward and reverse reactions occur at equal rates, resulting in a constant concentration of reactants and products.
- This statement is not odd with respect to a phase reaction because equilibrium can be achieved in various phases, such as solid, liquid, or gas.

c) Concentric solution:
- The term "concentric" refers to circles or spheres that share the same center.
- However, in the context of solutions and phase reactions, the term "concentric solution" is not commonly used or recognized.
- It is an odd statement with respect to a phase reaction as it does not provide any specific information or relate to the concept of phase transitions.

d) Amorphous solution:
- An amorphous solution refers to a solution in which the solute is in a non-crystalline or disordered state.
- This can occur when the solute molecules do not have a regular arrangement or when the solution is rapidly cooled.
- Although the term "amorphous" is more commonly associated with solid materials, it can also be used to describe the state of the solute in a solution.
- This statement is not odd with respect to a phase reaction as it describes a type of solution in a certain phase.

Conclusion:
Out of the given statements, the odd statement with respect to a phase reaction is "a) Saturated solution." This is because a saturated solution does not involve a phase transition, unlike the other statements that relate to different phases or states of matter.

Which of the following is the formula for condense phase rule?
  • a)
    F = C - P + 2
  • b)
    F = C - P + 1
  • c)
    F = C + P - 2
  • d)
    F = C + P - 1
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Shivam Khanna answered
Explanation:

The formula for the condensed phase rule is given by option B: F = C - P.

Here's the breakdown of the formula and what each variable represents:

- F: The degrees of freedom, which represents the number of variables that can be varied independently without affecting the number of phases in the system.

- C: The number of components in the system. A component is a chemically independent and distinguishable species that makes up the system. For example, in a mixture of water and ethanol, the two components are water and ethanol.

- P: The number of phases in the system. A phase is a physically distinct and homogeneous part of a system. It can be solid, liquid, or gas. For example, in a system with water and ethanol, if both are present as liquids, there is one liquid phase. But if one of them evaporates and forms a gas phase, there are two phases (liquid and gas).

The condensed phase rule is used to determine the number of variables (degrees of freedom) that can be independently varied in a system while keeping the number of phases constant.

By subtracting the number of phases (P) from the number of components (C), we can determine the degrees of freedom (F). The degrees of freedom represent the number of variables that can be freely adjusted without changing the number of phases in the system.

For example, if we have a system with two components (C = 2) and one phase (P = 1), the formula would be F = 2 - 1 = 1. This means that we have one degree of freedom, and we can vary one variable (such as temperature or pressure) while keeping the system as a single phase.

In summary, the condensed phase rule formula, F = C - P, allows us to determine the degrees of freedom in a system based on the number of components and phases present.

Select a non-homogeneous system from the following.
  • a)
    Salt solution
  • b)
    Sugar solution
  • c)
    Glucose in water
  • d)
    Saturated solution of NaCl
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Vivek Khatri answered
A homogeneous mixture is one which is miscible completely with one another. In any saturated solution, when the amount of solute reaches more than a critical point, then the solution becomes heterogeneous.

Calculate the eutectic concentration given the following data.
Pressure = 1atm
Temperature: 1oC
  • a)
    0
  • b)
    2
  • c)
    1
  • d)
    3
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Chirag Nambiar answered
To calculate the eutectic concentration, we need to understand the concept of eutectic points and how they relate to pressure and temperature. The eutectic point is the composition at which a eutectic mixture forms, which is a mixture of two or more substances that has a lower melting point than any other composition of those substances.

The eutectic concentration can be determined by considering the phase diagram of the given system. The phase diagram provides information about the different phases that exist as a function of temperature and composition.

In this case, we are given the pressure of 1 atm and the temperature of 1oC. We need to determine the eutectic concentration at this specific pressure and temperature.

Here are the steps to calculate the eutectic concentration:

1. Examine the phase diagram: Look at the phase diagram for the given system and identify the eutectic point. The eutectic point is typically denoted by a specific composition and temperature.

2. Determine the composition at the eutectic point: Once the eutectic point is identified, determine the composition at that point. This composition represents the eutectic concentration.

In this case, we are not given the specific phase diagram or any other information about the system. Therefore, we cannot determine the eutectic concentration based solely on the given data.

The correct answer cannot be determined without additional information.

Liquid phase exists for all compositions above _________ region.
  • a)
    Eutectic region
  • b)
    Equilibrium region
  • c)
    Isometric region
  • d)
    Sublimation region
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Liquid phase exists for all compositions above the isometric region.

Explanation:
The liquid phase exists in the phase diagram of a substance at temperatures and pressures where the substance is in a liquid state. The phase diagram is a graphical representation of the various phases (solid, liquid, and gas) that a substance can exist in, at different temperatures and pressures.

The isometric region, also known as the liquid region, is the region in the phase diagram where the substance exists as a liquid. This region is bounded by the melting point curve and the vaporization curve.

- Liquid phase above the eutectic region:
The eutectic region is a specific composition in the phase diagram where a eutectic mixture forms. In this region, the substance undergoes eutectic solidification, which means that it solidifies as a mixture of two or more components. Above the eutectic region, the substance exists in the liquid phase, as it has not reached the composition required for eutectic solidification.

- Liquid phase above the equilibrium region:
The equilibrium region is the region in the phase diagram where the substance exists in equilibrium between the solid and liquid phases. In this region, the substance can exist as a mixture of solid and liquid, depending on the temperature and pressure. Above the equilibrium region, the substance exists in the liquid phase, as it has not reached the conditions for equilibrium between the solid and liquid phases.

- Liquid phase above the sublimation region:
The sublimation region is the region in the phase diagram where the substance undergoes sublimation, which means it directly converts from a solid to a gas phase without passing through the liquid phase. Therefore, the liquid phase does not exist above the sublimation region.

Hence, the correct answer is option C, the liquid phase exists for all compositions above the isometric region.

Under what condition, will we get a stable phase diagram?
  • a)
    Solid + Liquid
  • b)
    Solid + Vapor
  • c)
    Liquid + vapor
  • d)
    Liquid + Solid
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Vivek Khatri answered
According to equilibrium mixture ration, an appropriate ratio of 1:10 parts of solid and liquid along with an aqueous solution will give a stable phase product.

A ________ system is one in which no variation of conditions is possible without one phase disappearing.
  • a)
    Variant
  • b)
    Invariant
  • c)
    Constant
  • d)
    None of the mentioned
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Invariant System:
An invariant system is one in which no variation of conditions is possible without one phase disappearing. In other words, it is a system where the presence of a particular phase is essential for the system to exist. Without that phase, the system cannot be maintained.

Explanation:
In chemistry, a phase refers to a physically distinct and homogeneous part of a system. A system can consist of one or more phases, such as solid, liquid, and gas. The behavior and properties of a substance can vary depending on the phase it is in.

When we have an invariant system, it means that the presence of a specific phase is crucial for the system to exist. Any change in conditions that results in the disappearance of that phase will cause the entire system to collapse.

Example:
Let's consider an example of water. At normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, water exists in three phases: solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (water vapor). Each phase has its own distinct properties and characteristics.

If we start with a system containing all three phases of water and decrease the temperature below the freezing point, the solid phase (ice) will remain stable while the liquid and gas phases will disappear. This is an example of an invariant system because without the presence of the solid phase, the system cannot be maintained.

Similarly, if we increase the temperature above the boiling point, the liquid phase will disappear, leaving only the solid (ice) and gas (water vapor) phases. Again, the system is invariant because without the presence of the liquid phase, the system cannot exist.

Conclusion:
An invariant system is one in which no variation of conditions is possible without one phase disappearing. It is a concept used in chemistry to describe systems where the presence of a specific phase is essential for the system to exist. Understanding the concept of invariant systems is important in various fields of chemistry, as it helps in analyzing phase changes and predicting the behavior of substances under different conditions.

What is the point at which all the three phases of a system exist?
  • a)
    Triple point
  • b)
    Sublimation point
  • c)
    Vapor point
  • d)
    Eutectic point
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Vivek Khatri answered
Since at the triple point, the degree of freedom is zero (that is invariant reaction takes place at that point), therefore according to phase rule, F = C - P + 2. Substituting the known values, we get P = 3 (all states).

For water system, the number of phases at the triple point is _____________
  • a)
    0
  • b)
    1
  • c)
    2
  • d)
    3
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Vivek Khatri answered
Since at the triple point, the degree of freedom is zero, while applying the formula F = C - P + 2, we get the number of phases as three because C = 1, F = 0 (since water system forms only single component).

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