What role does the molecular interaction play in a solution of alcohol and water

This intermolecular H – bonding is weaker as compared to Alcohol – Alcohol or water-water H bond Moreover, the size of alcohol also has a deciding factor in molecular interactions. As the molecular weight of the alkyl chain of alcohol becomes less soluble is water because large alkyl groups prevent formation of hydrogen bonds. Additional Information: Hydrogen bonding is a type of intermolecular interaction in which hydrogen is located between atoms which have strong affinity of electrons. More electronegative elements such as fluorine, Oxygen, Nitrogen shows hydrogen bonding to a greater extent. Note: Also, the solution mixture of alcohol and water is a non-ideal solution. This solution shows a positive deviation and thus, its vapor pressure is increased. Due to increased vapour pressure, the boiling point of the solution becomes lower. The solution of alcohol and water is a homogeneous solution that can no longer be distinguished from each other.

In pure alcohol and water, the molecules are held tightly by a strong hydrogen bonding. The interaction between the molecules of alcohol and water is weaker than alcohol−alcohol and water−water interactions. As a result, when alcohol and water are mixed, the intermolecular interactions become weaker and the molecules can easily escape. This increases the vapour pressure of the solution, which in turn lowers the boiling point of the resulting solution. Alcohol and water both have strong tendency to form intermolecular hydrogen bonding. On mixing the two, a solution is formed as a result of formation of H-bonds between alcohol and H 2O molecules but these interactions are weaker and less extensive than those in pure H 2O. Thus they show a positive deviation from ideal behaviour. As a result of this, the solution of alcohol and water will have higher vapour pressure and lower boiling point than that of water and alcohol.

There is strong hydrogen bonding in alcoholmolecules as well as water molecules. The intermolecular forces both in alcohol and water are H-bonds. When alcohol and water are mixed, they form solution because of formation of H-bonds between alcohol and H 2O molecules hut these interactions are weaker and less extensive than those in pure water. Hence, they show positive deviation from ideal behaviour.

Both alcohol and water individually have strong hydrogen bondsas their force of attraction. When we mix alcohol with water they form solution due to the formation of hydrogen bonds but they are weaker as compared to hydrogen bonds of pure water or pure alcohol. Thus this solution shows a positive deviation from the ideal behaviour.