An aqueous mixture composed of nitric acid () and water by mass behaves industrially as a constant b — Solutions and Colligative Properties Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Nitric acid and water form a strong non-ideal solution with a large negative deviation from Raoult's law ($\Delta H_{mix} < 0$, $\Delta V_{mix} < 0$). This negative deviation depresses the total vapour pressure to a minimum. A minimum in vapour pressure corresponds directly to a maximum in the boiling point, forming a maximum boiling azeotrope.