Final answer:
The solution with the highest osmotic pressure is 0.3m FeCl3 because it dissociates into the greatest number of particles (four) among the given options due to its van 't Hoff factor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The solution that will exhibit the highest osmotic pressure among the given options is the one that dissociates into the greatest number of particles when dissolved in water. Osmotic pressure is a colligative property, which means it depends on the number of particles in a solution, not on the identity of the particles. To answer which solution has the highest osmotic pressure, you need to consider both the concentration (molarity) and the van 't Hoff factor (i), which is the number of particles the compound splits into. Here is how the options would be ranked from highest to lowest osmotic pressure:
- 0.3m FeCl3 - Iron(III) chloride dissociates into four particles (1 Fe3+ and 3 Cl-), giving it the highest osmotic pressure.
- 0.2m Al2(SO4)3 - Aluminum sulfate dissociates into five particles for each formula unit (2 Al3+ and 3 SO4^2-), but its lower molarity makes its osmotic pressure slightly less.
- 0.4m RbBr - Rubidium bromide splits into two particles (1 Rb+ and 1 Br-).
- 0.6m glucose - Glucose doesn't dissociate so it stays as one particle.
- 0.5m hexanoic acid - A weak acid that only partially dissociates, so it contributes fewer particles compared to strong electrolytes.
Therefore, solution d. 0.3m FeCl3 will exhibit the highest osmotic pressure.