The observed van't Hoff factor for an electrolyte is less than the expected factor because of __________.
A)electrolytic repulsion
B)complete dissociation
C)coagulation
D)ion pairing
E)gelation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The observed van't Hoff factor for an electrolyte is less than the expected factor because of ion pairing, which occurs when ions associate with each other in solution rather than remaining fully dissociated. This decreases the effective concentration of ions in solution and results in a lower observed van't Hoff factor.

The Observed Van't Hoff Factor for an Electrolyte Is Less