Chemistry / Unit 8 Chem 1407 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Equilibrium Vapor Pressure
Captions available
The idea
A liquid's equilibrium vapor pressure is its vapor's pressure at dynamic equilibrium, and it falls as intermolecular forces strengthen.
In practice
Diethyl ether, held mostly by weak dispersion forces, has a far higher vapor pressure than hydrogen-bonded water.
Where people slip
Vapor pressure depends on temperature and identity, never on container size or exposed surface area — those change only how fast equilibrium is reached.
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