Colligative properties

The key idea

In sufficiently ideal dilute solutions, several properties depend primarily on the number of dissolved particles rather than their chemical identity.

Why it matters

Boiling-point elevation, freezing-point depression and osmotic pressure connect microscopic particle counting to macroscopic measurements.

A picture to remember

Boiling-point elevation, freezing-point depression and osmotic pressure connect microscopic particle counting to macroscopic measurements.