In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

1. Both Statement I and Statement II are true
2. Both Statement I and Statement II are false
3. Statement I is true but Statement II is false
4. Statement I is false but Statement II is true

   Statement I is true, but Statement II is false.

   Detailed Explanation

   Statement I: The equation μ_s = μ°_s + RT ln a correctly defines the chemical potential of an uncharged solute S. Here, μ°_s is the standard chemical potential, R is the gas constant, T is temperature, and a is the activity of the solute (often approximated by concentration or mole fraction at low concentrations). This is the standard thermodynamic expression for any species, including uncharged solutes.​

   Statement II: False—μ°_s (standard chemical potential) is defined at unit activity (a = 1), not specifically “at 1 M concentration.” For solutes, unit activity corresponds to a hypothetical ideal 1 M (or 1 molal) state with zero interactions, but the definition hinges on a = 1, not concentration alone. Real 1 M solutions have activity coefficients deviating from 1.​

   Options Explained

   Both true: Incorrect—Statement II misdefines standard state.​

   Both false: Incorrect—Statement I is standard thermodynamics.​

   Statement I true, II false: Correct—I matches textbook equation; II confuses activity with concentration.​

   Statement I false, II true: Incorrect—both parts wrong as explained.​

   Introduction
   The chemical potential of an uncharged solute follows μ_s = μ°_s + RT ln a, where a is solute activity—not solvent as misstated. Standard chemical potential μ°_s occurs at unit activity (a=1), making Statement I true but II false, as it’s not strictly “1 M concentration.”​

   Chemical Potential Basics

   Chemical potential (μ) drives diffusion and equilibrium: equal μ on both sides of a membrane means no net flow. For uncharged solutes, activity a ≈ concentration c (in mol/L) times activity coefficient γ (≈1 for dilute ideal solutions): a = γc/c°, with c° = 1 M.​

   Corrected Statements

   Statement	Verdict	Reason
   I: μ_s = μ°_s + RT ln a	True	Standard form for solutes ​
   II: μ°_s at 1 M	False	Defined at a=1 (hypothetical ideal state at 1 M reference) ​

   Applications

   Used in osmosis (solute μ gradients draw water), biochemistry (enzyme-substrate binding), and colligative properties. Real solutions adjust via γ to approach ideality.​