Question

Using your knowledge of colligative properties explain whether sodium chloride or calcium chloride would be a more effective substance to melt the ice on a slick sidewalk

Answer 1

Think of the freezing point depression equation which would be \[\Delta T= i K f m \]. I represents the number of ions the salt dissociates into which salt given in the question dissolves into more ions?

Answer 2

OKAY KINDA LOST

Answer 3

Alrighty so when a salt dissociates into a substance it breaks off into its respective ions.

Answer 4

Then for NaCl it breaks into 2 ions being Na+ and Cl-. Then for CaCl2 it breaks into 3 ions that being 1 Ca2+ and 2Cl-.

Answer 5

This leaves us with the larger i factor of CaCl2.

Answer 6

I think the i is reffered to as the van't hoft factor to be specific.

Answer 7

Yes i is the van't Hoff dissociation factor

Answer 8

OK THANKX :D

Answer 9

np :)

Answer 10

Hang on, is this from a test?? I think I've solved a problem like this on a test before

Answer 11

Could be but this problem is extremely common in general chemistry courses.

Answer 12

yes its from a test. cheaters...