COLLIGATIVE PROPERTIES

By Ms J. Zulu
 INTRODUCTION

• Colligative properties are those properties of

solutions that depend on the ratio of the number of
solute particles to the number of solvent particles in
a solution

• In other words, colligative properties are a set of

solution properties that can be reasonably
approximated as a result of the number of solute
molecules present
INTRODUCTION

• Colligative properties depend only on the number

of solute particles present, not on the identity of
the solute particles.

• Among colligative properties are Vapor pressure

lowering, Boiling point elevation, depression of
freezing point of solvent in solution and Osmotic
pressure
3.1 - Vapour pressure Lowering
 What is Vapour pressure ?

 Vapour pressure is defined as the pressure exerted

by a vapour (gas) in thermodynamic equilibrium
with its condensed phases (solid or liquid) at a
given temperature in a closed system.

 Vapour pressure is nothing but the tendency of

particles to escape from the liquid (or a solid).

 At normal temperatures, substance with a high

vapour pressure is often referred to as volatile.
 Vapour Pressure

 When the surface molecules acquire enough

kinetic energy to move, they may maintain the
weak bonds

 As the temperature increases, these bonds may

no longer hold them together and eventually they
break and escape (vapourise)

 Some of the vapourised molecules looses kinetic

energy and condenses back into the liquid until
equilibrium is reached between this exchange
Vapour Pressure

• The vapour (gas) that gathers on top of the liquid as a

result of evaporation creates pressure on that liquid or
solid they are escaping from

• Vapour pressure therefore is the pushing force exerted

by a gas that is sitting on top of a liquid or solid
 Vapour Pressure
• Liquid will have a higher vapour pressure (gas) if the molecules
have the following characteristics;

Increased temperature
Reduced intermolecular forces
Light molecules that easily escape from the liquid
NB: This type of liquid will have a low boiling point

While the opposite is true for a liquid with characteristics

opposite to the above
 Pictorial illustration

 With the increase in the

temperature, the vapour
pressure becomes
sufficient to overcome
atmospheric pressure and
lift the liquid to form
vapour bubbles.

Source: Wikipedia
Pictorial illustration
 Vapour pressure Lowering
• This property is usually associated with ideal solutions where
the solute completely dissolve and are non volatile

• Eg two containers, one with pure solvent (water) and another

with a non volatile solute (Water with sugar molecules)

• The vapour pressure of a pure solvent is higher than the one

with the non volatile solute, because of the surface
phenomena is different in the two solutions

• One has more pure water molecules while the other has a
mixed of molecules on the surface
Vapour pressure Lowering
Vapour pressure Lowering –relationship
expressed by RAULT,s LAW
 Calculation of vapour pressure

Antoine equation -This equation relates the vapour

pressure and the temperature of the substance.

log P = A-{B/C+T}

where:
 P is the absolute vapor pressure of a substance
 T is the temperature of the substance
 A, B and C are substance-specific coefficients
3.2 Boiling point elevation
Elevation of Boiling Point
• Colligative properties of solutions are properties that
depend upon the concentration of solute molecules or
ions, but not upon the identity of the solute.

• Colligative properties include vapor pressure lowering,

boiling point elevation, freezing point depression, and
osmotic pressure.
Boiling point elevation

• Boiling point: Is the constant temp.

at which the vapor pressure of liquid
becomes equal to the atmospheric
pressure.

• Boiling point of water : 100oC

Elevation of boiling point
• The boiling point of solvent elevate from its original
boiling point, when we add a non volatile solute in it.

• For example: If we add an amount of solute in Water to

make a sugar solution, the boiling point increase to
some extent from its original boiling point.
Vapor Pressure and Boiling
• Vapor Pressure – the pressure exerted by a
vapor in equilibrium with its liquid state.
• Liquid molecules at the surface escape into the
gas phase.
• These gas particles create pressure above the
liquid in a closed container.
 • Vapor Pressure increases with
increasing temperature.

20oC 80oC
•As temperature increases, the amount of vapor
generated by a liquid in a closed container increases.
•This occurs because as the liquid gains kinetic
energy, the molecules can overcome the
intermolecular forces of attraction that are prevalent
in the liquid phase.
 Evaporation vs Boiling
• Evaporation - when a liquid changes into a gas
at any temperature
• Vaporization – When a liquid changes into gas
upon application of heat or at the boiling
temperature
• Boiling – occurs when the vapor pressure above the
liquid equals the atmospheric pressure.
Normal Boiling Point
• boiling temperature when pressure is at 1atm
or 760torr.
• Boiling Point is a physical constant. It
depends on the strength of the attraction
between molecules.
• Strong attraction between molecules =
higher boiling point.
• Weaker attraction between molecules =
lower boiling point.
• Bo iling Points Ch a n ge with
pressure changes
• Less pressure = lower boiling point
(example = water boils at lower
temperatures at high elevations- water boils
at 76oC on Mt. Everest).
• Higher Pressure = higher boiling point
(example = pressure cooker – cooks

• faster because you cook at a higher

temperature.)
Elevation of boiling point

 Is determined by the following

equation: ΔTb = Kb · m
 where
 ΔTb is the boiling point elevation
 Kb is the ebullioscopic constant, which
depends on the solvent
 m is the molality of the solution
(typically found in a table)
3.3 Freezing Point Depression
Freezing Point Depression

Content Objectives
• Explain why adding ionic or polar compounds/solutes to other polar
compounds like water molecules as a solution; results in freezing
point depression, boiling point elevation and reduced vapor pressure.
Freezing Point Depression

Mixing Substances
• Adding a polar or ionic compound/solutes to water changes its
freezing point and boiling point.

• Adding a polar or ionic compound/solutes to another polar molecule

changes its vapor pressure.
Freezing Point Depression

• Freezing Point Depression

• The ions attract water molecules and prevent them from interacting
as much with each other to form ice crystals, thus lowering the
freezing point.
Freezing Point Depression

• Salting the Roads

• Since salt interferes with ice crystal formation, it lowers the melting
point below air temperature keeping roads wet

• Although, problems with Salting the Roads, Can affect freshwater

aquatic ecosystems and Salt kills plants
Freezing Point Depression

• Use a Different Salt like Calcium Chloride causes less damaging

• Uses in Deicing a Plane

Freezing Point Depression

• The freezing point of a solution is LOWER than that of the pure

solvent
3.4 Osmotic Pressure
CONTENT LAYOUT
• Osmosis
• Osmotic Pressure
• Applications
WHAT IS OSMOSIS?
The process of net diffusion of water molecules
from dilute solution or pure water to more
concentrated solution, when both are
separated by semi- permeable membrane
REASON OF ENTRY OF WATER
It is not because solute exerts pulling
effect on water but actually it is because
of the concentration gradient of solvent.
OSMOTIC PRESSURE
OSMOTIC PRESSURE
•It is the excess pressure that must be
applied to a solution to prevent the
passage of solvent into the solution
• It is a colligative property
MEASURMENT OF OSMOTIC PRESSURE

Various Methods can be used but most

common are :

1. Pfeffer’s Method
2. Freezing Point Method

It is measured in Osmoles.
LAWS OF OSMOTIC PRESSURE
It is represented by Greek letter π :
πV = nRT
π = cRT Where π is Osmotic Pressure
c is Molarity of Solution
R is General Gas Constant T is
Absolute Temprature
APPLICATIONS OF OSMOSIS
ADD A SLIDE TITLE - 1

Water Desalination principle is

based on Reverse Osmosis
Adding Salt to an injury causes
pain because of Osmosis
Pruned Fingers are due to Osmosis
References
• Remington – an introduction to pharmaceutics
• From M. Abdul Manan and M.Faheem Abbas notes