Colligative Properties

Definition

Colligative properties are properties that depend only on the number of solute particles present, not on the nature or type of those particles.

Analogy

Imagine you're at a concert. It doesn't matter who's performing - whether it's pop, rock, or classical music - what matters is how many people are there because that affects things like how loud it gets and how hot it feels inside. Similarly, colligative properties don't care about what kind of particle is present; they only care about how many there are.

Related terms

Boiling-Point Elevation: The phenomenon where the boiling point of a liquid will be higher when something else is added to it.

Freezing-Point Depression: The decrease in freezing point experienced by a solution compared to its pure solvent.

Osmotic Pressure: The pressure required to prevent osmosis into a given solution when it is separated from pure solvent by a semipermeable membrane.