Final answer:
Freezing point depression is the term used to describe the phenomenon where the freezing point of a solution is lower than that of the pure solvent due to the addition of a solute, which disrupts the solidification process of the solvent molecules.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process when a solute is added to a solvent, resulting in a solution that has a lower freezing point temperature than the pure solvent, is known as freezing point depression. This occurs because the solute particles interfere with the orderly process of solidification of the solvent molecules.
As a consequence, a greater amount of energy must be removed for the solution to solidify, hence the freezing point is lowered. This principle is utilized in various applications like spreading salt on icy roads to prevent ice formation at 0°C or adding antifreeze to a car's radiator to prevent the engine from freezing in cold conditions. Freezing point depression is quantified by a mathematical formula, where the change in freezing point (ΔTf) is calculated based on the molality of the solution (ΔTf = Kfx m), and Kf represents the molal freezing-point depression constant, which is characteristic for each solvent.