Explain the van't Hoff factor and provide its formula.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) The van't Hoff factor,denoted by $i$,was introduced to account for the extent of dissociation or association of solute particles in a solution. It is defined as:
$i = \frac{\text{Normal molar mass}}{\text{Abnormal molar mass}} = \frac{\text{Observed colligative property}}{\text{Calculated colligative property}}$
Alternatively,it can be expressed as:
$i = \frac{\text{Total number of moles of particles after association/dissociation}}{\text{Number of moles of particles before association/dissociation}}$
Here,the abnormal molar mass is the experimentally determined molar mass,and the calculated colligative properties are obtained by assuming that the non-volatile solute is neither associated nor dissociated.
In the case of association,the value of $i$ is less than unity $(i < 1)$,while for dissociation,it is greater than unity $(i > 1)$. When there is no association or dissociation,$i = 1$.
For example,the value of $i$ for an aqueous $KCl$ solution is close to $2$,while the value for ethanoic acid in benzene is nearly $0.5$.
Inclusion of the van't Hoff factor modifies the equations for colligative properties as follows:
$1$. Relative lowering of vapour pressure: $\frac{P_1^0 - P_1}{P_1^0} = i \frac{n_2}{n_1}$
$2$. Elevation of boiling point: $\Delta T_b = i K_b m$
$3$. Depression of freezing point: $\Delta T_f = i K_f m$
$4$. Osmotic pressure: $\Pi = i CRT$ (where $C = n/V$)

Explore More

Similar Questions

$A$ $0.5 \ m$ aqueous solution of a weak acid $(HX)$ is $20\%$ ionized. If $K_f$ for water is $1.86 \ K \ kg \ mol^{-1}$,the depression in freezing point of the solution is ....... $K$.

Assuming $100\%$ ionization,the correct order of freezing point for the following solutions is:

The molal elevation constant of water is $0.52 \, ^{\circ}C \, kg \, mol^{-1}$. The boiling point of $1.0 \, m$ aqueous $KCl$ solution (assuming complete dissociation of $KCl$) should be $......... \, ^{\circ}C$.

Which of the following is a non-electrolyte?

Which one of the following is the ratio of the lowering of vapour pressure of $0.1 \ M$ aqueous solutions of $BaCl_2, NaCl$ and $Al_2(SO_4)_3$ respectively?

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo