MODULE 4: COLLIGATIVE PROPERTIES OF SOLUTIONS

Most Essential Learning Competencies:

1. Describe the effect of concentration on the colligative properties of solutions.
(STEM_GC11PPIIId-f-115)
2. Differentiate the colligative properties of nonelectrolyte solutions and electrolyte
solutions. (STEM_GC11PPIIId- f-116)
3. Calculate boiling point elevation and freezing point depression from the concentration
of a solute in a solution. (STEM_GC11PPIIId- f-117)
4. Calculate molar mass from colligative property. (STEM_GC11PPIIId- f-118)
5. Describe laboratory procedures in determining the concentration of solutions.
(STEM_GC11PPIIId-f-119)

In the previous module, you have learned about the different ways of
expressing the concentration of solutions. You also solved quantitative problems
involving the stoichiometry of reactions in solution.

Activity 1: Concentrate on the Solution

Complete the concept map that represents the core solution concepts covered in
Module 3.

Discussion of the Lessons

Electrolyte and Nonelectrolyte

Solutions can be formed from the physical combination of different solutes

and solvents. An aqueous solution is water that contains one or more dissolved
substances. Water is generally the solvent in aqueous solutions as it has the ability
to dissolve a lot of substances, both electrolytes, and nonelectrolytes.

An electrolyte is a substance that forms ions when dissolved in water, which

is then able to conduct a current (conductivity). When ionic compounds dissolve
in water, the ions in the solid separate and disperse uniformly throughout the
solution because water molecules surround and solvate the ions, reducing the strong
electrostatic forces between them. This process represents a physical change known
as dissociation.

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 In an aqueous solution, a strong electrolyte is considered to be completely
ionized or dissociated in water, meaning it is soluble. Strong acids and bases are
usually strong electrolytes. In solutions containing strong electrolytes, only ions are
present. Many ionic compounds are soluble in water. However, not all ionic
compounds are soluble. Ionic compounds that are soluble in water exist in their ionic
state within the solution. The dissociation equation for three ionic salts are shown
below:

KCl (s)  K+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)

MgCl2 (s)  Mg2+ (aq) + 2Cl- (aq)
Al(NO3)3 (s)  Al3+ (aq) + 3NO3- (aq)

The arrows used point only to the direction of the formation of ions (right side).
The equation shows 100% ionization of the ionic compounds in water since, in the
solid form, the compounds do not form ions and will not be able to conduct electricity.

Ionic compounds that are not completely dissociated or ionized in water are
classified as weak electrolytes. Weak acids and bases are generally weak
electrolytes. In a solution of weak electrolytes, both ions and molecules exist; thus,
the dissociation equation would show arrows pointing to both the reactants and
products. The double arrow represents a reversible reaction.

HCH3COO (aq) ⇌ H+ (aq) + CH3COO- (aq)

NH4OH (aq) ⇌ NH4 + (aq) + OH- (aq)

A nonelectrolyte is a compound that does not ionize in solution at all. A solution

that contains nonelectrolytes will not conduct electricity. Many molecular compounds,
such as sugar or ethanol, which are primarily held together by covalentrather than ionic
bonds, are nonelectrolytes. Glucose (sugar) or C 6H12O6 readily dissolves in water but
does not dissociate into ions in solution. It is considered a nonelectrolyte.

 Most soluble ionic compounds and few molecular compounds are strong
electrolytes.
 Most molecular compounds are weak or nonelectrolytes.

Strong electrolytes have a better tendency to supply ions to the aqueous

solution than weak electrolytes or nonelectrolytes because of the degree or extent of
their dissociation or ionization in water. Thus, strong electrolytes have a greater effect
on the properties of a solution.

In Module 3, you have discussed the different quantitative ways of expressing

the concentration of solutions - % concentration, molarity (M), molality (m), and mole
fraction.

Molality is an intensive property of a solution and is defined as the number

of moles of solute per kilogram of solvent. Molal concentration is used when the
temperature is a concern. Molarity depends on the volume, but volume can change
when the temperature changes. Molality is based on the mass of solvent used to
create the solution because mass does not change as the temperature changes. Since
molality is a more accurate measure of solutes in solution when working with a range

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of temperature (or pressure), it is often used in comparing and determining colligative
properties.

A saltwater solution. Table salt readily dissolves in water to form a solution. If the
masses of the salt and of the water are known, the molality can be determined. Try
this problem on molality calculation.

Problem No. 1. Calculate the molality of a

solution prepared from 29.22 grams of NaCl in
2.00 kg of water.

Answer: The molality of the NaCl solution is

0.25molal.

Source; [Link]
[Link]/13_uses_for_salt_healthy/
article_em.htm

Calculations for molality are straightforward.

Just remember to find the number of moles of solute and the mass of the solvent. If
the mass of the solvent is unknown, the volume is often given. In such a case, use
the density of the solvent tofind the mass of solvent that you need.

What Are Colligative Properties?

The physical properties of a solution differ from that of either the pure solute
or solvent. Dilute solutions that contain nonvolatile solute exhibit some properties
which depend only on the number of solute particles present and not on the type of
solute present. These properties are called colligative properties. The word
"colligative" comes from the Latin word "colligatus" which means "bound together,"
but the Greek translation is "related to the number," implying that these properties
are related to the number of solute particles, not their identities.

Colligative properties include vapor pressure lowering, boiling point elevation,

freezing point depression, and osmotic pressure.

A. VAPOR PRESSURE LOWERING

The vapor pressure of a liquid is determined by how easily its molecules

overcome the attractive forces and are able to escape the surface of the liquid then
enter the gaseous phase. In a closed container, a liquid will evaporate until an equal
amount of molecules are returning to the liquid state as there are escaping into the
gas phase. The pressure of the vapor phase above the liquid at this point is called
the equilibrium vapor pressure.

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 Vapor pressure is dependent on a number of
factors, including the temperature of the system (kinetic
energy is required to help the molecules escape into the
gas phase), the pressure of the system (high pressure
can keep the gas contained in the liquid), and also the
intermolecular forces of the liquid itself (stronger bonds
willrequire more kinetic energy to break and slows down
the evaporation process, lowering the overall vapor
pressure of the system).

If the liquid is volatile, the tendency for solvent molecules to escape is

high, andthe vapor pressure is high. In contrast, a nonvolatile substance has a
lower vapor pressure and a low tendency to escape

What happens to the pure water system (a) in the figure if we add a
nonvolatile solute to the solvent in question, as shown in the aqueous solution
system (b) in the figure?

In a pure solvent, the entire surface is occupied by the molecules of the

solvent. If a nonvolatile solute is added to the solvent, the surface now has both
solute and solvent molecules. Some of the solute molecules will take up spaces at
the surface of the liquid and limit the number of solvent molecules at the surface.
The addition of solute also increases the solute-solvent interactions than the solvent-
solvent interactions making it more difficult for the solvent molecules to escape to
the vapor phase. Since the vapor pressure of the solution is due to solvent alone, at
the same temperature, the presence of the solute particles lowers the number of
solvent molecules coming and going and therefore lowers the equilibrium vapor
pressure of the solution than that of the pure solvent.

The greater the concentration of solute present in the solution, the greater the
reduction in vapor pressure. Therefore, the vapor pressure of an electrolyte solution
will be lower than that of a weak electrolyte and a nonelectrolyte.

If the vapor pressure of pure solvent (P0) and the vapor pressure of the solution
(Ps), then the difference Po – Ps is termed as lowering in vapor pressure. The ratio Po
– Ps / Po is known as the relative lowering of vapor pressure.

Activity 2: On Vapor Pressure Lowering

Consider two different solutions of equal concentration. One is made from the ionic
compound sodium chloride, while the other is made from the molecular compound
glucose. The following equations show what happens when these solutes dissolve.

NaCl(s) → Na+ (aq) + Cl- (aq) 2 dissolved particles

C6H12O6(s) → C6H12O6 (aq) 1 dissolved particle

The sodium chloride dissociates into two ions, while the glucose does not dissociate.
Therefore, equal concentrations of each solution will result in twice as many dissolved
particles in the case of the sodium chloride.

Q1: Which is true of the vapor pressure of sodium chloride solution?

A. Lowered twice the amount as the glucose solution
B. Increased twice the amount as the glucose solution

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 C. Equal to that of the glucose solution
D. Does not change

B. BOILING POINT ELEVATION

The boiling point is the temperature at

which the vapor pressure of a liquid is equal to the
atmospheric pressure. If we change the external
pressure from 1 atm lower or higher, the boiling
point changes as well. A liquid (a) with higher vapor
pressure means that themolecules evaporate faster,
and it takes a shorter time to equalize the vapor
pressure of the liquid and the atmospheric
pressure.
(a) Pure solvent (higher vapor pressure)
(b) Solution (lower vapor pressure)
Remember that the addition of a nonvolatile
liquid to a pure solvent causes the vapor pressure
of the solution to decrease (b). A solution has lower vapor pressure than its pure
solvent. To make the vapor pressure of the solution equal to atmospheric pressure, we
have to increase the temperature of the solution. Therefore, it takes a higher
temperature to attain the boiling point of asolution than that of its solvent.

The difference in the boiling point of the solution and the boiling point of the
pure solvent is termed as elevation in boiling point (ΔTb). This is the amount by
which the boiling point temperature of a solvent is raised (elevated).

The boiling point (ΔTb) = Boiling point – Boling point

elevation of solution of pure solvent

The increase in boiling point (ΔTb) observed when a nonvolatile solute is

dissolved in a solvent is directly proportional to the molal concentration of solute
particles:
ΔTb = Kb x m
Where: ΔTb is the boiling point elevation
Kb is the molal boiling point constant
m is the molal concentration of solute particles

We add salt to boiling water when preparing

spaghetti in order to add flavor to the food. However,
some people believe that the addition of salt increases
the boiling point of the water. Technically, they are
correct, but the increase is rather small. You would
need to add over 100 grams of NaCl to a liter of water
to increase the boiling point a couple of degrees, which
is just not healthy as it makes the food very salty.
Source: [Link]
The extent to which the vapor pressure of a

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 solvent is lowered and the boiling point is elevated depends on the total number of
solute particles present in a given amount of solvent, not on the mass or size or
chemical identities of the particles.

Activity 3: Boiling the Toil

Which is correct about the boiling point of a 1 m aqueous solution of sucrose (342
g/mol) and a 1 m aqueous solution of ethylene glycol (62 g/mol)? [Hint: Both
solutions are nonelectrolytes.]
A. exhibit the same boiling point because each solution has one mole of solute
particles (molecules) per kilogram of solvent.
B. sucrose solution boils at higher temperature as it has more solute particles
than ethylene glycol solution
C. ethylene glycol solution boils at higher temperature as it has less solute
particles than sucrose solution

The table of molal boiling point constants (Kb) for substances will help one
determine the elevation in boiling point. In the case of water, its boiling boiling point
is increased by 0.512 °C for every 1 mole of nonelectrolyte solute dissolved in one
kilogram of water or 1 molal solution. Thus, a 1m aqueous nonelectrolyte solution
has a boiling point of 100.512°C (100°C + 0.512 °C = 100.512°C) and a 2 m aqueous
solution of the same solute will boil at 101.024°C (100°C + 2 x 0.512 °C = 101.024°C).

C. FREEZING POINT DEPRESSION

The normal freezing point of a liquid is the temperature at which a liquid

becomes a solid at 1 atm. It is the temperature at which the solid and liquid phases
coexist, and their vapor pressures are the same. In order to freeze water, the
temperature is lowered, and its particles become more ordered towards the solid
phase as the intermolecular forces between particles become more permanent. In the
case of water, the hydrogen bonds make the hexagonally-shaped network of
molecules that characterizes the structure of ice.

Why is the freezing point lowered when we add solutes to a solution? If a

nonvolatile solute is added to a solvent, the ordering process is disrupted. As a result,
more energy must be removed from the solution. The freezing point of the solution is
lowered than that of the pure solvent. The magnitude of the freezing point depression
is directly proportional to the molality of the solution. The equation is:

ΔTf = Kf x m
Where: ΔTf is the freezing point depression (decrease)
Kf is the molal freezing point constant
m is the molal concentration of solute particles

ΔTf = Freezing point of pure solvent - Freezing point of solution

The Kf for water is 1.86°C/m. Thus, the freezing temperature of a 1m aqueous

solution of any nonvolatile molecular solute is -1.86°C (0°C–1.86°C = -1.86°C). The
freezing point of water is reduced (depressed) by 1.86°C. Every solvent has a unique
molal freezing-point depression constant, as shown in Table 1.

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 Table 1. Molal Freezing Point and Boiling Point Constants
Molal freezing-point Normal Molal boiling-point
Normal freezing
Solvent depression boiling point elevation constant,
point (°C)
constant, Kf (°C/m) (°C) Kb (°C/m)
Acetic acid 16.6 3.90 117.9 3.07
Camphor 178.8 39.7 207.4 5.61
Benzene 5.5 5.12 80.1 2.53
Phenol 40.9 7.40 181.8 3.60
Water 0.00 1.86 100.00 0.512

The effect of an electrolyte as solute to the freezing point of the solution is

greater as compared to nonelectrolyte because an electrolyte gives more moles of
solute particles when ionized in water. The greater the number of moles of solute,
the more reduced the freezing point of the solution is from the freezing point of its
pure solvent.

Activity 4: Depress My Ice

Complete the paragraph by supplying the correct term or number.

If 2 moles of a nonelectrolyte solute is dissolved in 1 kilogram water, the

solution has a molal concentration of (1) moles/kilogram. This
concentration of solute particles depresses the freezing point of water by
(2) °C since the freezing point depression constant of water which is
equal to (3) °C/m is doubled. Thus, the solution will now freeze at
(4) °C which is much lower than the boiling point of pure water at
(5) °C.

D. OSMOTIC PRESSURE

Imagine you have a cup that has 100 ml water, and you add 15 g of
table sugar to the water.
Imagine now that you have a second cup with 100ml of water, and you
add 45 grams of table sugar to the water. Just like the first cup, the sugar is
the solute, and the water is the solvent. But now you have two mixtures of
different solute concentrations.
In comparing two solutions of unequal solute concentration, the
solution with the higher solute concentration is hypertonic, and the solution
with the lower solute concentration is hypotonic. Solutions of equal solute
concentration are isotonic. The first sugar solution is hypotonic to the second
solution. The second sugar solution is hypertonic to the first.
You now add the two solutions to a beaker that has been divided by a
selectively permeable membrane, with pores that are too small for the sugar
molecules to pass through, but are big enough for the water molecules to pass
through. The hypertonic solution is on one side of the membrane and the
hypotonic solution on the other. The hypertonic solution has a lower water
concentration than the hypotonic solution, so a concentration gradient of water
now exists across the membrane. Water molecules will move from the side of
higher water concentration to the side of lower concentration until both
solutions are isotonic. At this point, equilibrium is reached.
Source: [Link]

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 Osmosis is the movement of solvent molecules through a
semipermeable membrane from the side with pure solvent to the
side with the solution. It could also be the movement of solvent
molecules from a region (A) of low concentration (dilute) to a region A B
(B) of high concentration (concentrated). A semipermeable
membrane allows the passage of solvent molecules but not the
solute molecules. The movement of solvent molecules continues
until the concentration on both sides is the same, with an increasein
the volume of the solution (or more concentrated solution).

The apparatus illustrated in the figures shows

samples of pure solvent and a solution that are
separated by a membrane that only solvent molecules
may permeate. Solvent molecules will diffuse across
the membrane in both directions. Since the
concentration of solvent is greater in the pure solvent
than the solution, these molecules will diffuse from
the solvent side of the membrane to the solution side
at a faster rate than they will in the reverse direction.
The result is a net transfer of solvent molecules from (a) A solution and pure solvent are initially
the pure solvent to the solution. separated by an osmotic membrane.
(b) Net transfer of solvent molecules to the
The osmotic pressure of a solution is the solution occurs until its osmotic pressure
difference in pressure between the solution and the yields equal rates of transfer in both
directions.
pure liquid solvent when the two are in equilibrium
across a semipermeablemembrane.
Osmosis can be prevented by applying pressure to the more concentrated
solution equal to the osmotic pressure on the less concentrated side. This can be
accomplished either physically, by applying force to one side of the system, or
chemically, by modifying a solute concentration so that the two solute concentrations
are equal. If the external pressure applied to the concentrated solution is greater
than the osmotic pressure, the solvent molecules are forced to flow from the
concentrated solution side to the pure solvent (or diluted solution) side. This process is
known as reverse osmosis and is useful in the purification of water.

Calculating Molar Mass Using Colligative Properties

In the laboratory, freezing point or boiling point data can be used to
determine the molar mass of an unknown solute. The Kf or Kb of the solvent must
be known. We also need to know if the solute is an electrolyte or a nonelectrolyte. If
the solvent is an electrolyte, you would need to know the number of ions is produced
when it dissociates. Then we can calculate the molar mass of the solute.

From the Boiling Point Elevation (or Freezing Point Depression)

1. Determine the change in boiling point from the boiling point of the pure
solvent. ΔT = Tsolution – Tpure solvent
2. Determine the molal concentration (m) from the change in boiling point and
the boiling point elevation constant. ΔT = Kb x m or m = ΔT /
Kb
3. Determine the moles of unknown solute from the molality of the solution and
the mass of the solvent (in kilograms) used to make the solution.
m = moles of solute / mass of solvent in kilogram
moles of solute = molality (m) x mass of solvent
4. Determine the molar mass from the mass of the unknown and the number of
moles of unknown.
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 moles of unknown solute = mass of unknown / molar mass
molar mass = mass of unknown / moles of unknown

Sample Problem: To make a solution, 38.7 g of a nonelectrolyte is dissolved into 218 g

of water. The freezing point of the solution is measured to be -5.53°C. Calculate the molar
mass of the solute.
Given: mass of unknown = 38.7 g; mass of solvent = 218 g = 0.218 kg
ΔTf = 5.53°C; freezing point of pure solvent = 0°C; Kf = -1.86°C/m
Unknown: molar mass of solute
Solution: m = ΔTf /Kf = 5.53°C/1.86 °C = 2.97 m
mole of solute = m x mass of solvent
= 2.97 m x 0.218 kg = 0.648 mole (Hint: m = mole/kg)
molar mass = mass of unknown / mole of unknown
= 38.7 g / 0.648 mole = 59.7 g/mole

Activity 5: Problem-Solving with Colligative Properties

Read the problem and answer as directed. You may use a separate sheet of paper for
your solution and answer.

1. The molal elevation constant for water is 0.513 °C kg mol–. When 0.2 mole of
sugar is dissolved in 250 g of water, calculate the temperature at which the
solution boils under atmospheric pressure. Ans. 100.80 °C
2. What is the freezing point of a 0.33 m solution of a nonvolatile nonelectrolyte
solute in benzene? Ans. 3.8 °C
3. Five grams of an organic solid is dissolved in 100.0 g of benzene. The boiling
temperature of this solution is 82.42 °C. The boiling temperature of pure benzene
is 80.10 °C; Kb = 2.53 °C /m. What is the molar mass of the unknown compound?
Ans. 54.5 g/mole

Activity 6: Quick Test on Colligative Properties

Complete the paragraph and find out how much you have learned about colligative
properties. You may use a separate sheet of paper for your answers.

The colligative properties of a 1. depend upon the 2. of solute

molecules or ions, but not upon the identity of the solute. Colligative properties
include 3. , 4. , 5. and 6. . The effect of electrolytes would
be greater on these properties than nonelectrolytes because electrolytes tend to
7. in the solution.
The vapor pressure of a solution is 8. than its pure solvent because
the addition of solute to the solvent makes it difficult for the 9. molecules to
escape from the solution into the vapor phase.
Since the vapor pressure of the solution is lower, more heat must be supplied
to the solution to bring its vapor pressure up to the pressure of the external
atmosphere. The 10. is the difference in temperature between the boiling
point of the pure solvent and that of the solution.
The proportionality constant, Kf, is called the 11. . It is a constant that
is equal to the change in the freezing point for a 12. solution of a nonvolatile
molecular solute. The addition of any type of solute to a solvent will lower its
13. .
Osmosis is the spontaneous net movement of 14. molecules through
a selectively permeable membrane into a region of 15. solute concentration,
in the direction that tends to equalize the solute concentrations on the two sides.

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Activity 7: Colligative Properties in the Real World
Read and analyze the given situation. Identify the colligative property and explain
the concepts behind it to support your answer. You may write your answer on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. You are stranded on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. You are
extremely thirsty, and the water supply ran out. Why should you never drink
the salty seawater?

2. Imagine that you live in an area with a cold and icy winter. On one winter day,
you notice trucks dumping salt onto the roads as a preventive measure to
avoid road accidents. Is the strategy effective?

Assessment (MODULE 4)
Direction: Write only the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which observation(s) reflect(s) colligative properties?

I. A 0.5 m NaBr solution has a higher vapor pressure than a 0.5 m BaCl2
solution
II. A 0.5 m NaOH solution freezes at a lower temperature than pure water.
III. Pure water freezes at a higher temperature than pure methanol.
A. only I C. only III
B. only II D. I and II
2. What is the freezing point of an aqueous 1.00 m NaCl solution? (Kf=1.86 oC/mand
assume complete dissociation of the salt.)
A. -1.86 oC B. +1.86 oC C. -3.72 oC D. -0.93 oC
3. An aqueous solution of a nonelectrolyte has a vapor pressure
A. Equal to that of water C. Lower than that of water
B. Equal to that of methanol D. More than that of methanol
4. When acetic acid is added to the aqueous solution of benzene, the
A. Freezing point is raised C. Freezing point does not change
B. Freezing point is lowered D. Boiling point does not change
5. A 97.30 g sample of a mystery compound is added to 500.0 g of water, raising its boiling
point to 100.78 degrees C. What is the molecular mass of the mystery compound?
(Kb=0.512 oC/m).
A. 130 g/mole B. 260 g/mole C. 100 g/mole D. 230 g/mole
6. Colligative properties depend upon the
A. Type of solution C. Type of solvent
B. Number of solute particles D. Number of solvent particles
7. Which of the following solutes will cause the highest elevation in the boilingpoint?
A. NaCl B. table sugar C. CaCl2 D. KNO3
8. A semipermeable membrane allows
A. Only solute particles through
B. Only solvent particles through
C. Both solute and solvent particles through
D. Neither solute nor solvent particles
9. Which of the following aqueous solutions will have the lowest freezing point?
A. 0.1 m sodium chloride C. 0.2 m sucrose
B. 0.1 m aluminum nitrate D. all three have the same freezing point
10. Which is not a colligative property?
A. Vapor pressure C. Freezing point depression
B. Boiling point elevation D. Osmotic Pressure

---------------------------------------------- End of Module 4 -------------------------------------------------------------

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