Help me understand how to figure the i in the van't Hoff factor. MgSO4. Would the i = 5? If not, what and how?
Just do the ionization.
MgSO4 ==> Mg^+2 + SO4^=
so i = 2
See the former post for Mg(NO3)2 and NaCl.
To determine the van't Hoff factor (i) for a compound, you need to consider its dissociation or association behavior in solution. The van't Hoff factor represents the effective number of particles that a compound dissociates into when it dissolves.
In the case of MgSO4 (magnesium sulfate), it partly dissociates into ions. Magnesium sulfate dissociates into one magnesium ion (Mg2+) and one sulfate ion (SO42-). Each ion contributes to the total number of particles in the solution. Therefore, the van't Hoff factor (i) for MgSO4 is equal to the sum of the individual ions.
In this case, since MgSO4 dissociates into two ions (Mg2+ and SO42-), the van't Hoff factor (i) for MgSO4 is 2.
So, i = 2, not 5.
To summarize:
- Identify the ions formed when the compound dissolves.
- Count the total number of ions to determine the van't Hoff factor (i).
For example, if you were considering NaCl (sodium chloride), it completely dissociates into one sodium ion (Na+) and one chloride ion (Cl-). Hence, the van't Hoff factor (i) for NaCl would be 2.