Question

Which solute produces the highest boiling point in a 0.15 m aqueous solution?

Answer 1

In order to determine the increase in boiling point of a solvent due to the presence of a solute, we use the formula:

ΔT = Kb * m * i

Here, Kb is a property of the solvent, so remains constant regardless of the solute. Moreover, because the concentration m has been fixed, this will also not be considered. In order to determine which solute will have the greatest effect, we must check i, the van't Hoff factor.

Simply stated, i is the number of ions that a substance produces when dissolved. Therefore, the solute producing the most ions will be the one causing the greatest change in boiling point temperature.