Question

The azeotropic solution of two miscible liquids:
A. Can be separated by simple distillation
B. May show positive or negative deviation from Raoult’s law
C. Are supersaturated
D. Behave like a single pure component and boil at a fixed temperature

Answer 1

Physical properties of any solution depends on the components of the solution. Hence there are physical properties involved in defining the characters of the azeotropic mixture, but the most important character is that they show a convergence is the combined character.

Complete answer:
The azeotropic mixture is the mixture of two substances which have the same concentration in both vapour phases and fluid phases. They are miscible liquids which can easily mix when they are subjected to formation of a solution. The mixture of these two liquids has the same composition in the solution. Since the physical properties are similar in the given solution some of the characters are similar. This means they have the vapour phase concentration and can boil at a specific temperature.
The boiling of the components of the solution occurs at a similar temperature and hence it becomes difficult to separate them through the simple distillation process and as the mixture is based on the same concentration there is practically no chance of having this solution as a supersaturated solution.
Since they have similar physical properties when mixed, they act as a single component in the liquid with the boiling point being at a fixed temperature for both the components that form the azeotropic mixture. This proves that they do not behave as a mixture of components but like a single pure component only.
There is a chance of deviation of the azeotropic mixture towards the positive and negative slope from the conditions specified for Raoult’s law. This law states that vapour pressure of the solution is directly proportional to mole fractions of the solvent and in this case, the whole solution acts as the single pure component showing positive or negative deviation.

Hence, options B and D are correct.

Note:
The mixture of miscible liquid forms a perfect mixture as the molecule of the different components can mix properly. The similarity in vapour pressure helps in the easy change of state of the solution with all its components.