Key Points

Colligative Property are properties that depends on the number of solute particles present and
not on the identity of the solute particles.

Vapor pressure is a colligative property, so the vapor pressure of solutions is directly proportional to the
amount of solute present in a solution.

When a solute is present in a solvent, the vapor pressure is lowered because fewer solvent molecules
are present at the top of the solution.

Raoult’s law details the calculations for acquiring the vapor pressure of an ideal solution.

Key Terms

partial pressure: The pressure that one component of a mixture of gases contributes to the total
pressure.

ideal solution: A solution with thermodynamic properties analogous to those of a mixture of ideal gases.

electrolyte: A substance that, when in solution or when molten, ionizes and conducts electricity.

Electrolyte Solutions

A simple example of an electrolyte solution is sodium chloride in water. In the presence of water, solid
sodium chloride dissociates as it is dissolved, forming an electrolyte solution:

NaCl(s)→Na+(aq)+Cl−(aq)

Vapor Pressure

Vapor pressure is the pressure exerted by a vapor in

equilibrium with its condensed phase, either liquid
or solid, at a particular temperature. Basically, it is a
measure of how much the solvent molecules tend to
escape from a liquid or solid phase into the
atmosphere. Vapor pressure of a liquid is a
colligative property.

Vapor pressure: The picture shows the transition, as

a result of the vapor pressure, from particles in liquid
phase to gas phase and vice-versa.

To better visualize the effect of solute on the vapor

pressure of a solution, consider a pure solvent. This
pure solvent has a certain vapor pressure associated with it. Subjected to temperatures below the
solvent’s boiling point, the molecules going into the gaseous phase are mostly situated on the top layer
of the solution. Now consider a solution composed of both solvent and solute. Some solute molecules
will occupy space near the surface of the liquid, decreasing the number of solvent molecules that can be
there. Therefore, fewer molecules are changing from the liquid phase into the gas phase, and the vapor
pressure of the solvent decreases.

In an electrolyte solution, the number of dissolved particles is larger because the solute breaks apart
into ions. The greater the number of ions, the larger the impact on colligative properties will be.

What are the properties of electrolytes?

A substance that dissociates into ions in solution acquires the capacity to conduct electricity. Sodium,
potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate are examples of electrolytes