In the context of Raoult's Law, what is the term for the pressure exerted by vapor molecules on the sides of a container at equilibrium?

• A. Vapor pressure
• B. Osmotic pressure
• C. Atmospheric pressure
• D. Partial pressure

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that Raoult's Law deals with the behavior of vapor pressures in solutions, specifically how the presence of a solute affects the vapor pressure of a solvent.
2. Recall that vapor pressure is defined as the pressure exerted by vapor molecules when a liquid and its vapor are in dynamic equilibrium inside a closed container.
3. Recognize that at equilibrium, the rate of evaporation equals the rate of condensation, and the pressure exerted by the vapor molecules on the container walls is called the vapor pressure.
4. Differentiate vapor pressure from other types of pressure: osmotic pressure relates to solvent movement through a semipermeable membrane, atmospheric pressure is the pressure exerted by the weight of the atmosphere, and partial pressure refers to the pressure of a single gas in a mixture.
5. Conclude that the term describing the pressure exerted by vapor molecules at equilibrium in Raoult's Law context is 'vapor pressure'.