Ideal solution

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In chemistry, an ideal solution is a solution in which the enthalpy of solution is zero. The closer to zero the enthalpy of solution is, the more "ideal" the solution becomes. This is important in regard to colligative properties, where calculated, theoretical values become more accurate the more ideal the solution. Ideality for solutions is analogous to ideality for gases, as described by the kinetic theory of matter.

According to Hildebrand, an ideal solution has a zero heat of mixing. A principal cause of nonideality arises from volume nonadditivity on mixing. Note that Hildebrand's use of the term "ideal" as a good solvent differ from the theta-temperature definition, which involves a thermodynamically poor solvent.

Ideal solutions obey Raoult's Law.