Assertion A : For a mixture of ethanol and acetone, the enthalpy of mixing ( _ mix H ) and volume of mixing ( _ mix V ) are both positive. Reason R : The intermolecular attractive forces between ethanol and acetone are stronger than those between pure ethanol and pure acetone molecules. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

Step-by-step solution

A mixture of ethanol and acetone shows a positive deviation from Raoult's law. In pure ethanol, the molecules are hydrogen bonded. When acetone is added, its molecules get in between the host molecules and break some of the hydrogen bonds between them. Because the new intermolecular interactions between ethanol and acetone are weaker than those in the pure components, the solution shows a positive deviation. For such solutions, the enthalpy of mixing ( _ mix H ) is positive (endothermic) and the volume of mixing (