Liquids with high saturation vapor pressure are generally more ______ than liquids with lower vapor pressure.

• A. More volatile
• B. Less volatile
• C. Highly stable
• D. Not defined

Answer: (A)

Volatility is about how easily a liquid turns into vapor. Saturation vapor pressure is the pressure of the vapor in equilibrium with the liquid at a given temperature. If a liquid has a high saturation vapor pressure, its molecules escape into the gas phase more readily, so it evaporates more easily. That means it is more volatile than liquids with lower vapor pressure. This reflects the tendency to vaporize, not necessarily chemical stability; a substance can be chemically stable yet still be highly volatile if its intermolecular forces are weaker. The option describing high stability isn’t about evaporation tendency, and “not defined” isn’t accurate because saturation vapor pressure is a defined concept.