Answer :
Final answer:
Based on the principles of vapor pressure and equilibrium, the correct answer is: 2) Volume of solvent beaker will increase and solution beaker will also increase
Explanation:
Volatile solvent molecules have vapor pressure: This means they tend to escape from the liquid phase and enter the gas phase.
Closed container creates equilibrium: When both beakers are placed in a closed container, the solvent molecules from both beakers will evaporate and fill the headspace.
Higher vapor pressure in pure solvent: Initially, the pure solvent beaker will have a higher vapor pressure than the solution beaker due to the presence of the non-volatile solute. This difference creates a concentration gradient.
Diffusion and equilibrium: Due to the concentration gradient, solvent molecules will diffuse from the pure solvent beaker to the solution beaker until the vapor pressures in both beakers become equal, reaching equilibrium.
Volume changes: This diffusion process leads to:
Pure solvent beaker: As solvent molecules leave, its volume will decrease.
Solution beaker: As it receives solvent molecules, its volume will increase.
Therefore, both beakers will experience volume changes, but ultimately, the total volume of the solvent (in both beakers) will remain the same. This phenomenon is driven by the tendency to reach equilibrium in the closed container.
