📚 Learning Guide
Phase Diagrams
hard

In a binary system represented on a phase diagram, if you are given a composition located at a specific point within a two-phase region, how can you utilize the Lever Rule to determine the proportions of each phase when the critical point is approached?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

By measuring the distances from the overall composition to the phase boundaries.

B

By calculating the temperature at which the critical point occurs.

C

By identifying the total number of phases present in the system.

D

By applying Raoult's Law to find the vapor pressure of the components.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

When a composition lies inside a two‑phase region, the Lever Rule tells us that the fraction of each phase is proportional to the horizontal distance from the composition point to the phase boundary lines. First, draw a tie line through the point that meets the phase boundaries at the two coexisting phases; the distances along the tie line to each intersection give the lever arms. Divide the total length of the tie line by each lever arm to get the phase fractions, with the larger arm corresponding to the smaller phase fraction. As the composition approaches the critical point, the tie line shortens and the two lever arms become equal, so the phase fractions converge toward 50 % each, showing that the two phases become indistinguishable at the critical point. For example, if a tie line is 0.

Detailed Explanation

The Lever Rule says that the amount of each phase is the opposite of how far the overall composition is from each phase boundary. Other options are incorrect because Some students think you need the exact temperature where the two phases become one; Counting how many phases exist is a common misunderstanding.

Key Concepts

Lever Rule
Critical Point
Phase Boundaries
Topic

Phase Diagrams

Difficulty

hard level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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