Question

o at least three signA solution is made by mixing equal masses of methanol, CH4O, and ethanol, C2H6O. Determine the mole fraction of each component to at least three significant figures.ificant figures.

Answer 1

Answer: mole fraction of methanol = 0.590

mole fraction of ethanol = 0.410

Explanation:

We are given:

Equal masses of methanol $CH_4O$ and ethanol $C_2H_6O$ are mixed.

let the mass be x g.

Calculating the moles of methanol in the solution, by using the equation:

$\text{Number of moles}=\frac{\text{Given mass}}{\text{Molar mass}}=\frac{xg}{32.04g/mol}$

Calculating the moles of ethanol in the solution, by using the equation:

$\text{Number of moles}=\frac{\text{Given mass}}{\text{Molar mass}}=\frac{xg}{46.07g/mol}$

To calculate the mole fraction of methanol, we use the equation:

$\chi_{methanol}=\frac{n_{methanol}}{n_{methaol}+n_{ethanol}}$

$\chi_{methanol}=\frac{\frac{xg}{32.04g/mol}}{\frac{xg}{32.04g/mol}+\frac{xg}{46.07g/mol}}=0.590$

To calculate the mole fraction of ethanol, we use the equation:

$\chi_{ethanol}=\frac{n_{ethanol}}{n_{methaol}+n_{ethanol}}$

$\chi_{ethanol}=\frac{\frac{xg}{46.07g/mol}}{\frac{xg}{32.04g/mol}+\frac{xg}{46.07g/mol}}=0.410$

Thus mole fraction of methanol is 0.590 and mole fraction of ethanol 0.410 in three significant figures.