Examining Freezing Point Depression as a Function of Solute Ionization from a Thermodynamic Perspective

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective was to determine whether solutes which ionize (like NaCl) would lower the freezing point of water more than solutes which do not ionize (like sucrose). Methods/Materials Freezing points were determined for 44 aqueous solutions of four non-ionizing solutes and eight ionizing solutes. The solutes were tested over a range of concentrations, from 0.1 m to 5.0 m. A Pyrex test tube containing each solution was lowered into a dry ice bath. Temperature readings were obtained every thirty seconds during the freezing process and graphed to produce cooling curves. Freezing points were extrapolated from the curves. Results At all concentrations, the ionizing solutes lowered the freezing point of water more than the non-ionizing solutes. In addition, three-ion solutes lowered the freezing point more than two-ion solutes; and four-ion solutes lowered the freezing point even more. The results, however, were not linear, suggesting that factors other than the degree of solute ionization might play a role in lowering the freezing point. Conclusions/Discussion It may be possible to express the effect of a given solute on the freezing point of water through the following equation: Delta T(f) equals 1.8CA(s), where Delta T(f) is the freezing point depression, C is the solute concentration, 1.8 is the value derived from this experiment for the freezing point depression of water by 1.0 mol/kg of non-ionizing solute, and A(s) is a constant unique to each solute which takes into account such factors as the number of solute ions; the enthalpy of solution; the size of the solute molecule; hydrogen bonding; and solute/solute and solute/water interactions.

Competition history

• CSEF 2005 Chemistry · Entry S0516

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