Colligative properties

Question

Which solution will have the highest boiling point

so, I know that solutions have higher boiling points than pure solvents.

1 molal NaOH

2 molal C^5H^11OH

0.5 molal Mg^3N^2

what is an electrolyte and how would it even apply to this? I just would like to know?

Answer 1

Yes, when a solute is dissolved in a liquid, it raises the boiling point, and lowers the freezing point.

An electrolyte is something that conducts an electric current. So, NaOH and Mg₃N₂ would both be electrolytes b/c they ionize in water (Na⁺, OH^- and 3Mg²⁺, 2N^3-). C₅H₁₀ is not an electrolyte because it doesn't ionize.

Now, the more ions you have in solution, the greater the effect on the boiling point (and freezing point).

1 M NaOH = 1 M Na⁺ and 1 M OH^- = total of 2 M particles

0.5 M Mg₃N₂ = 1.5 M Mg²⁺ and 1.0 M N^3- = total of 2.5 M particles

2 M C₅H₁₀ = 2 M C₅H₁₀ = total of 2 M particles

According to these calculations, 0.5 M Mg₃N₂ will have the greatest effect on the boiling point and it will have the highest b.p. of the three solutions.

As a final note, please do NOT write these as C^5H^10 or Mg^3N^2 as these represent superscripts and not subscripts. Write them as C5H10 and Mg3N2 if you can't make subscripts.