fill in the blank.
The freezing point of a solution is_____ and the boiling point is ___________ than that of a pure solvent.
lower...higher?
yes. It is called freezing point depression, and boiling point elevation.
The freezing point of a solution is lower and the boiling point is higher than that of a pure solvent.
To understand why this is the case, we need to consider the concept of colligative properties. Colligative properties are physical properties of solutions that depend on the number of particles, regardless of their nature, rather than the identity or type of particles.
In the case of freezing point depression, adding a solute to a solvent disrupts the regular packing arrangement of the solvent particles. This disruption makes it more difficult for the solution to freeze, requiring lower temperatures compared to a pure solvent. The presence of solute particles effectively lowers the freezing point of the solution.
Regarding boiling point elevation, the solute particles also interfere with the vaporization process. The increased number of solute particles hinders the escape of solvent particles into the gas phase. As a result, the solution has to be heated to a higher temperature than the pure solvent in order to overcome this inhibition and reach its boiling point.
So, in summary, adding a solute to a solvent results in a lower freezing point and a higher boiling point compared to those of a pure solvent.