Question

Which of these solutes raises the boiling point of water the most?

Answer 1

Raising of the boiling point is a colligative property. That means that it depends on the number of particles dissolved. The greater the number of particles the greater the increase in the boiling point. So, you can compare the effect of these solutes in the increase of the boiling point by writing the chemical equations and comparing the number of particles dissolved: 1)ionic lithium chloride, LiCl(s) --> Li(+) + Cl (-) => 2 ions; 2) ionic sodium chloride, NaCl(s) --> Na(+) + Cl(-) => 2 ions; 3) molecular sucrose, C12H22O11 (s) ---> C12H22O11(aq) => 1 molecule; 4) ionic phosphate, Na3PO4 --> 3Na(+) + PO4 (3-) => 4 ions; 5) ionic magnesium bromide, MgBr2 --> Mg(2+) + 2 Br(-) => 3 ions. So, ionic phosphate produces the greatest number of particles and it will cause the greatest increase of the boiling point.