Question

What is the theoretical van't Hoff factor (i) for the following compounds?

a) NaCl ⁻ ²
b) C₆H₁₂O₆⁻ ¹
c) CaCl₂⁻ ³
d) CO₂⁻ ¹

Answer 1

The van 't Hoff factor (i) is the number of particles each solute formula unit breaks apart into when it dissolves. The ideal van 't Hoff factor is equal to the number of ions that form when an ionic compound dissolves.

Step-by-step explanation:

The van 't Hoff factor (i) is the number of particles each solute formula unit breaks apart into when it dissolves. The ideal van 't Hoff factor is equal to the number of ions that form when an ionic compound dissolves. For the given compounds:

• a) NaCl: i = 2 (since NaCl dissociates into Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions)
• b) C₆H₁₂O₆: i = 1 (since it does not dissociate into ions)
• c) CaCl₂: i = 3 (since CaCl₂ dissociates into Ca²⁺ and 2 Cl⁻ ions)
• d) CO₂: i = 1 (since it does not dissociate into ions)