# What's the vapor pressure and evaporation enthalpy of a saline solution?

Suppose you dissolve an amount of salt in water. Because of the attraction between the ions and the water molecules, you'd expect lower vapor pressure and higher enthalpie, both depending on the concentration of the salt and material properties of the salt..

I have found no way to calculate this however?

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To calculate the change in enthalpy, you'll want to look into enthalpy of solution (the link has the value for sodium chloride). For the change in vapour pressure I'm less sure. If I think of a way to calculate it I'll post it as an answer. –  Nathaniel Jan 31 '13 at 11:00
I remember the vapor pressure beeing lower proportional to the mole fraction - but that can't be right because it would treat different enthalpic salts the same –  mart Jan 31 '13 at 11:02
I've a feeling the change in vapour pressure will be closely related to the osmotic pressure. –  Nathaniel Jan 31 '13 at 11:03

$$P = P_{solvent} \times X_{solvent}$$
where $P_{solvent}$ is the vapour pressure of the solvent and $X_{solvent}$ is the mole fraction of the solvent. Note that for solutions like sodium chloride in water the solute dissociates so take this into account when calculating the mole fraction of the water.