CUET CHEMISTRY 2025 QUESTION PAPER WITH SOLUTION

# Q1 of 50

The value of van't Hoff factor, i, for CH3COOH solution in water will be

Options
A.

Between 1 and 2

B.

Less than 1

C.

2

D.

1

Show Answer
Correct Answer

Between 1 and 2

Solution

The correct option is Between 1 and 2.

Let's understand the concept of van't Hoff factor, denoted by i, and why it lies between 1 and 2 for a solution of acetic acid (CH3COOH) in water.

The van't Hoff factor is a measure of the effect of a solute on colligative properties, and is defined as the ratio of the actual concentration of particles produced when the substance is dissolved to the concentration of a substance as calculated from its mass.
For solutes that dissociate in solution, the value of i is greater than 1.

Acetic acid (CH3COOH) is a weak electrolyte. When dissolved in water, it undergoes partial dissociation (ionization) to form acetate ions (CH3COO-) and hydrogen ions (H+) or hydronium ions (H3O+) according to the following equilibrium reaction:

CH3COOHCH3COO-+H+

If we assume the initial concentration of acetic acid is 1 and its degree of dissociation is α (where 0<α<1), we can represent the equilibrium states as follows:
- At initial state (before dissociation):
Moles of CH3COOH=1, Moles of CH3COO-=0, Moles of H+=0.
- At equilibrium state:
Moles of CH3COOH=1-α, Moles of CH3COO-=α, Moles of H+=α.

The total number of moles of solute particles at equilibrium is:
ntotal=(1-α)+α+α=1+α

The van't Hoff factor i is calculated as:
i=Total moles of particles at equilibriumInitial moles of particles=1+α1=1+α

Since acetic acid is a weak acid, it does not dissociate completely. This means that its degree of dissociation (α) is greater than 0 but strictly less than 1:
0<α<1

Substituting this range of α into the expression for i gives:
1<i<2

Thus, the value of the van't Hoff factor i for a CH3COOH solution in water is between 1 and 2.

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