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🧪 Chemistry  ·  Solutions  ·  NEET & JEE

The van’t Hoff factor for a solute that associates (e.g. dimerises) in solution is:

Answer: less than 1.

  • A greater than 1
  • B less than 1
  • C exactly 1
  • D infinite

Correct answer: B. less than 1

Explanation: Association reduces the number of independent particles, so i < 1 (e.g. benzoic acid in benzene).

Vapour Pressure: Pure Solvent vs SolutionTVapour PPure solventSolution (lower VP)ΔTfTf(soln)Tf(pure)Dissolved solute lowers vapour pressure at every temperature, shifting Tf down and Tb up

Adding a non-volatile solute lowers the solvent's vapour pressure at every temperature, which is the root cause behind all four colligative properties: it shifts the freezing point down and the boiling point up.

Concept context

Learn how substances dissolve and form mixtures. Covers concentration terms, colligative properties (boiling point elevation, freezing point depression, osmotic pressure), and ideal vs non-ideal solution behaviour.

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