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Master Review Sheet: van't Hoff Factor | CBSE Class 12 Chemistry

Master Review Sheet: van't Hoff Factor | CBSE Class 12 Chemistry | ChemCA

Abnormal Molar Mass & van't Hoff Factor

Module 5 | Solutions Chapter Master Review Sheet

1. Concept of Abnormal Molar Mass

In the previous module, we assumed that the solute added to the solvent is a non-electrolyte (it does not dissociate or associate). However, what happens when we dissolve an electrolyte like NaCl in water?

NaCl dissociates into Na+ and Cl- ions. If we dissolve 1 mole of NaCl, we actually get 2 moles of particles in the solution. Since colligative properties depend strictly on the number of particles, the observed colligative property will be roughly double the expected value.

Similarly, some molecules, like acetic acid (CH3COOH) in benzene, undergo association (dimerization) due to hydrogen bonding. Two molecules join to form one. Here, the number of particles is halved, and the colligative property decreases.

Abnormal Molar Mass: Since colligative properties are inversely proportional to the molar mass of the solute (e.g., ΔTb ∝ 1/M2), an increase in the number of particles (dissociation) yields a lower calculated molar mass. A decrease in particles (association) yields a higher calculated molar mass. Such a molar mass that is either lower or higher than the expected or normal value is called abnormal molar mass.

2. The van't Hoff Factor (i)

To account for the extent of dissociation or association, Jacobus Henricus van't Hoff introduced a factor 'i', known as the van't Hoff factor.

i = Normal Molar Mass / Abnormal (Observed) Molar Mass

i = Observed Colligative Property / Calculated Colligative Property

i = Total number of moles of particles after association/dissociation / Number of moles of particles before association/dissociation
Solute Behavior Value of 'i' Effect on Colligative Property Effect on Molar Mass
Dissociation (e.g., NaCl, KCl, K2SO4) i > 1 Increases Decreases (Lower than normal)
Association (e.g., Acetic acid in benzene) i < 1 Decreases Increases (Higher than normal)
Neither (e.g., Urea, Glucose, Sucrose) i = 1 Remains same Normal Molar Mass

3. Modified Equations for Colligative Properties

When solving numericals involving electrolytes (acids, bases, salts), we must multiply the previously learned formulas by the van't Hoff factor (i).

1. Relative Lowering of Vapour Pressure:
(p10 - p1) / p10 = i × x2 = i × [ (n2) / (n1 + n2) ]

2. Elevation of Boiling Point:
ΔTb = i × Kb × m

3. Depression of Freezing Point:
ΔTf = i × Kf × m

4. Osmotic Pressure:
Π = i × C × R × T
Exam Strategy: Always check the solute before applying a formula. If it is Glucose, Urea, or Sucrose, i = 1. If it is an ionic compound like NaCl or MgCl2, you MUST use 'i'. For strong electrolytes at high dilution, assume 100% dissociation (e.g., for MgCl2, i = 3).

4. Degree of Dissociation (α)

The degree of dissociation is the fraction of total substance that undergoes dissociation into ions.

Consider an electrolyte An that dissociates into 'n' ions:
An → nA

Initial moles: 1     0
Moles at eq: 1 - α     nα

Total particles = (1 - α) + nα = 1 + α(n - 1)
Since i = (Total particles after dissociation) / (Initial particles) = [1 + α(n - 1)] / 1

α = (i - 1) / (n - 1)

Where 'n' is the number of ions produced per formula unit. (e.g., for K2SO4, n = 3).

5. Degree of Association (α)

The degree of association is the fraction of total substance that associates (combines) to form larger molecules.

Consider 'n' molecules associating to form a single macromolecule:
nA → An

Initial moles: 1     0
Moles at eq: 1 - α     α/n

Total particles = 1 - α + α/n = 1 + α(1/n - 1)
Since i = [1 + α(1/n - 1)] / 1

α = (1 - i) / (1 - 1/n)
NCERT Focus - Dimerization: When acetic acid (CH3COOH) is dissolved in a non-polar solvent like benzene, it forms dimers due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Here, n = 2.

6. NCERT Solved Examples (Step-by-Step)

NCERT Example 2.12: 2 g of benzoic acid (C6H5COOH) dissolved in 25 g of benzene shows a depression in freezing point equal to 1.62 K. Molal depression constant for benzene is 4.9 K kg mol-1. What is the percentage association of acid if it forms dimer in solution?

Solution:
Step 1: Calculate the observed/abnormal molar mass (M2)
W2 = 2 g; W1 = 25 g; ΔTf = 1.62 K; Kf = 4.9 K kg mol-1
M2(observed) = (Kf × W2 × 1000) / (ΔTf × W1)
M2(observed) = (4.9 × 2 × 1000) / (1.62 × 25) = 241.98 g mol-1

Step 2: Calculate van't Hoff factor (i)
Normal molar mass of benzoic acid (C6H5COOH) = (7×12) + (6×1) + (2×16) = 122 g mol-1
i = Normal Molar Mass / Observed Molar Mass
i = 122 / 241.98 = 0.504

Step 3: Calculate Degree of Association (α)
Since it forms a dimer, n = 2.
α = (1 - i) / (1 - 1/n) = (1 - 0.504) / (1 - 1/2)
α = 0.496 / 0.5 = 0.992
Percentage association = 99.2%

7. Previous Year Questions (PYQs) & Exhaustive Question Bank

Part A: Conceptual & Assertion-Reason (1 Mark)

[CBSE 2019, 2021]

Q1. What is the expected value of van't Hoff factor for K3[Fe(CN)6] assuming complete dissociation?

Answer: The complex salt K3[Fe(CN)6] dissociates in aqueous solution as:
K3[Fe(CN)6] → 3K+ + [Fe(CN)6]3-
It gives a total of 4 ions. Hence, for complete dissociation, i = 4.
[CBSE Sample Paper 2024]

Q2. Assertion (A): 0.1 M solution of NaCl has a higher boiling point than 0.1 M solution of glucose.
Reason (R): Elevation of boiling point is directly proportional to the number of particles in the solution.

Answer: Both Assertion and Reason are correct, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion. Glucose is a non-electrolyte (i=1), while NaCl dissociates into two ions (i=2). Therefore, NaCl produces double the number of particles in solution, leading to a higher boiling point elevation.

Part B: Numerical Problems (3-5 Marks)

[CBSE 2018, 2020]

Q3. A 0.01 m aqueous solution of AlCl3 freezes at -0.068°C. Calculate the percentage of dissociation. (Given: Kf for water = 1.86 K kg mol-1).

Answer:
Step 1: Find van't Hoff factor (i)
ΔTf = 0 - (-0.068) = 0.068 K
Using formula: ΔTf = i × Kf × m
0.068 = i × 1.86 × 0.01
i = 0.068 / 0.0186 = 3.65

Step 2: Calculate degree of dissociation (α)
AlCl3 dissociates as: AlCl3 → Al3+ + 3Cl-. So, n = 4 ions.
α = (i - 1) / (n - 1) = (3.65 - 1) / (4 - 1)
α = 2.65 / 3 = 0.883
Percentage dissociation = 88.3%
[CBSE 2016, NCERT Intext]

Q4. Calculate the boiling point of a solution prepared by adding 15.00 g of NaCl to 250 g of water. (Kb for water = 0.512 K kg mol-1, Molar mass of NaCl = 58.44 g). Assume complete dissociation of NaCl.

Answer:
Given: W2 = 15.0 g; M2 = 58.44 g mol-1; W1 = 250 g = 0.25 kg.
Since NaCl completely dissociates (NaCl → Na+ + Cl-), i = 2.

Step 1: Calculate molality (m)
Moles of NaCl = 15.0 / 58.44 = 0.256 mol
m = Moles of solute / Mass of solvent in kg = 0.256 / 0.25 = 1.024 m

Step 2: Calculate Elevation in BP (ΔTb)
ΔTb = i × Kb × m
ΔTb = 2 × 0.512 × 1.024 = 1.05 K

Step 3: Calculate Boiling Point of Solution
Boiling point of pure water = 373.15 K (or 100°C)
Boiling point of solution = 373.15 + 1.05 = 374.20 K (or 101.05°C)

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