Solutions: PYQ Walkthrough (8)

medium 2 min read

Question

(NEET 2022 PYQ) The boiling point of pure water is 100°C. When 36 g of glucose (M=180M = 180 g/mol) is dissolved in 500 g of water, the boiling point increases. Find the new boiling point. Given KbK_b of water =0.52= 0.52 K kg/mol.

Solution — Step by Step

Molality = (moles of solute) / (kg of solvent).

Moles of glucose = 36/180=0.236 / 180 = 0.2 mol.

Mass of water = 500 g = 0.5 kg.

m=0.20.5=0.4 mol/kgm = \frac{0.2}{0.5} = 0.4 \text{ mol/kg}

ΔTb=Kbm=0.520.4=0.208 K\Delta T_b = K_b \cdot m = 0.52 \cdot 0.4 = 0.208 \text{ K}

For non-electrolytes like glucose, the van’t Hoff factor i=1i = 1, so no correction needed.

Tb=100+0.208=100.208°CT_b = 100 + 0.208 = 100.208°C

New boiling point ≈ 100.21°C.

Why This Works

Adding a non-volatile solute lowers the vapour pressure of the solvent, so the solution must be heated higher to reach 1 atm vapour pressure. The elevation ΔTb\Delta T_b is proportional to the molality of the dissolved particles — this is a colligative property.

For ionic solutes (NaCl, MgCl₂), the van’t Hoff factor ii accounts for dissociation. NaCl gives i2i \approx 2 (Na⁺ + Cl⁻), MgCl₂ gives i3i \approx 3. So ΔTb=iKbm\Delta T_b = i K_b m.

NEET frequently tests “which solution has highest boiling point” — answer is the one with maximum imi \cdot m. For 0.1 M solutions: glucose (i=1i=1), NaCl (i=2i=2), CaCl₂ (i=3i=3), Al₂(SO₄)₃ (i=5i=5). Highest = Al₂(SO₄)₃.

Alternative Method

Direct calculation from mole fraction and Raoult’s law: ΔP/P°=xsolute\Delta P/P° = x_{\text{solute}}. Then convert vapour pressure change to boiling point change using Clausius-Clapeyron. Much longer — ΔTb=Kbm\Delta T_b = K_b m is the shortcut for dilute solutions.

Common Mistake

Students confuse molality (mol/kg solvent) with molarity (mol/L solution). For colligative properties, always use molality — it’s temperature-independent. Computing molarity from mass percent gives a wrong answer.

Want to master this topic?

Read the complete guide with more examples and exam tips.

Go to full topic guide →

Try These Next