Final answer:
The decrease in vapor pressure can be attributed to the dissolved salt particles in the water, leading to boiling point elevation. The exact formula of the salt cannot be determined without the boiling point elevation constant.
Step-by-step explanation:
In this question, we are given that 10.0 g of an alkali metal chloride salt is dissolved in 90.0 g of water and that the solution has a vapor pressure 3.2% lower than that of pure water at the same temperature.
The decrease in vapor pressure can be attributed to the presence of the dissolved salt particles in the water. This phenomenon is known as boiling point elevation.
By comparing the decrease in vapor pressure to the boiling point elevation constant for water, the formula of the salt can be determined. However, without the boiling point elevation constant, it is not possible to calculate the exact formula of the salt.