Question:

The depression in freezing point observed for a formic acid solution of concentration $05\, mL\, L ^{-1}$ is $00405^{\circ} C$ Density of formic acid is $105 \, g \, mL ^{-1}$ The Van't Hoff factor of the formic acid solution is nearly : (Given for water $k _{ f }=186 \, K \, kg \, mol ^{-1}$ )

Updated On: Mar 26, 2026
  • $0.8$
  • $1.1$
  • $1.9$
  • $2.4$
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

To find the Van't Hoff factor (\(i\)) for the formic acid solution, we use the depression in freezing point formula:

\(\Delta T_f = i \cdot K_f \cdot m\)

Where:

  • \(\Delta T_f = 0.0405^\circ C\) is the depression in freezing point.
  • \(K_f = 1.86 \, K \, kg \, mol^{-1}\) is the cryoscopic constant for water.
  • \(m\) is the molality of the solution.

The given concentration of formic acid is \(5 \, mL \, L^{-1}\). First, we calculate the molality.

Step 1: Calculate the mass of formic acid in 1 L of solution.

Density of formic acid = \(1.05 \, g \, mL^{-1}\).

Mass of formic acid in \(5 \, mL\) is:

\(\text{Mass} = \text{Volume} \times \text{Density} = 5 \times 1.05 = 5.25 \, g\)

Step 2: Calculate the number of moles of formic acid.

Molar mass of formic acid (HCOOH) = \(2 \times 1 + 12 + 16 \times 2 = 46 \, g \, mol^{-1}\).

Number of moles = \(\frac{5.25}{46} \approx 0.1141 \, mol\).

Step 3: Calculate the molality.

Since the solution is prepared in 1 liter of water, the mass of water is approximately \(1000 \, g = 1 \, kg\).

Molality \((m) = 0.1141 \, mol \, kg^{-1}\).

Step 4: Calculate the Van't Hoff factor.

Rearranging the formula for Van't Hoff factor:

\(i = \frac{\Delta T_f}{K_f \cdot m} = \frac{0.0405}{1.86 \times 0.1141} \approx 1.9\)

Therefore, the Van't Hoff factor of the formic acid solution is approximately 1.9, which corresponds to the correct option.

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Concepts Used:

Solutions

A solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more components in which the particle size is smaller than 1 nm.

For example, salt and sugar is a good illustration of a solution. A solution can be categorized into several components.

Types of Solutions:

The solutions can be classified into three types:

  • Solid Solutions - In these solutions, the solvent is in a Solid-state.
  • Liquid Solutions- In these solutions, the solvent is in a Liquid state.
  • Gaseous Solutions - In these solutions, the solvent is in a Gaseous state.

On the basis of the amount of solute dissolved in a solvent, solutions are divided into the following types:

  1. Unsaturated Solution- A solution in which more solute can be dissolved without raising the temperature of the solution is known as an unsaturated solution.
  2. Saturated Solution- A solution in which no solute can be dissolved after reaching a certain amount of temperature is known as an unsaturated saturated solution.
  3. Supersaturated Solution- A solution that contains more solute than the maximum amount at a certain temperature is known as a supersaturated solution.