Day 93 of 365

April 3

⚗️
Chemistry

Colligative Properties

Colligative properties depend on the number of dissolved particles, not their identity. Adding salt to water lowers freezing point, raises boiling point, decreases vapor pressure, and creates osmotic pressure. These principles explain why salt melts ice, why adding salt makes pasta water boil hotter, and how kidneys concentrate urine. The effect depends only on particle concentration, whether salt, sugar, or anything else.

💡 Did you know?

Antifreeze in car radiators works through colligative properties - the ethylene glycol molecules prevent water from freezing or boiling!

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