What happens to the vapor pressure, boiling point, and freezing point of a liquid when a solute is dissolved in the liquid to form a solution?
A)Vapor pressure increases, boiling point decreases, and freezing point decreases.
B)Vapor pressure decreases, boiling point decreases, and freezing point decreases.
C)Vapor pressure decreases, boiling point increases, and freezing point decreases.
D)Vapor pressure increases, boiling point decreases, and freezing point increases.
E)Vapor pressure increases, boiling point increases, and freezing point increases.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a solute is dissolved in a liquid to form a solution, the vapor pressure of the liquid decreases due to the presence of the solute particles on the surface of the liquid, which hinders the escape of liquid vapor. The boiling point of the solution increases because the additional solute molecules increase the boiling point elevation. The freezing point of the solution decreases because the solute particles disrupt the regularity of the liquid solvent's crystal structure, making it more difficult for the solvent to form a solid. Therefore, vapor pressure decreases, boiling point increases, and freezing point decreases.

What Happens to the Vapor Pressure, Boiling Point, and Freezing