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Boiling-point elevation
View on WikipediaBoiling-point elevation is the phenomenon whereby the boiling point of a liquid (a solvent) will be higher when another compound is added, meaning that a solution has a higher boiling point than a pure solvent. This happens whenever a non-volatile solute, such as a salt, is added to a pure solvent, such as water. The boiling point can be measured accurately using an ebullioscope.
Explanation
[edit]
The boiling point elevation is a colligative property, which means that boiling point elevation is dependent on the number of dissolved particles but not their identity. [1]It is an effect of the dilution of the solvent in the presence of a solute. It is a phenomenon that happens for all solutes in all solutions, even in ideal solutions, and does not depend on any specific solute–solvent interactions. The boiling point elevation happens both when the solute is an electrolyte, such as various salts, and a nonelectrolyte. In thermodynamic terms, the origin of the boiling point elevation is entropic and can be explained in terms of the vapor pressure or chemical potential of the solvent. In both cases, the explanation depends on the fact that many solutes are only present in the liquid phase and do not enter into the gas phase (except at extremely high temperatures).
The vapor pressure affects the solute shown by Raoult's Law while the free energy change and chemical potential are shown by Gibbs free energy. Most solutes remain in the liquid phase and do not enter the gas phase, except at very high temperatures.
In terms of vapor pressure, a liquid boils when its vapor pressure equals the surrounding pressure. A nonvolatile solute lowers the solvent’s vapor pressure, meaning a higher temperature is needed for the vapor pressure to equalize the surrounding pressure, causing the boiling point to elevate.


In terms of chemical potential, at the boiling point, the liquid and gas phases have the same chemical potential. Adding a nonvolatile solute lowers the solvent’s chemical potential in the liquid phase, but the gas phase remains unaffected. This shifts the equilibrium between phases to a higher temperature, elevating the boiling point.
Relationship between Freezing-point Depression
[edit]Freezing-point depression is analogous to boiling point elevation, though the magnitude of freezing-point depression is higher for the same solvent and solute concentration. These phenomena extend the liquid range of a solvent in the presence of a solute.
Related equations for Calculating Boiling Point
[edit]The extent of boiling-point elevation can be calculated by applying Clausius–Clapeyron relation and Raoult's law together with the assumption of the non-volatility of the solute. The result is that in dilute ideal solutions, the extent of boiling-point elevation is directly proportional to the molal concentration (amount of substance per mass) of the solution according to the equation:[2]
- ΔTb = Kb · bc
where the boiling point elevation, is defined as Tb (solution) − Tb (pure solvent).
- Kb, the ebullioscopic constant, which is dependent on the properties of the solvent. It can be calculated as Kb = RTb2M/ΔHv, where R is the gas constant, and Tb is the boiling temperature of the pure solvent [in K], M is the molar mass of the solvent, and ΔHv is the heat of vaporization per mole of the solvent.
- bc is the colligative molality, calculated by taking dissociation into account since the boiling point elevation is a colligative property, dependent on the number of particles in solution. This is most easily done by using the van 't Hoff factor i as bc = bsolute · i, where bsolute is the molality of the solution.[3] The factor i accounts for the number of individual particles (typically ions) formed by a compound in solution. Examples:
- i = 1 for sugar in water
- i = 1.9 for sodium chloride in water, due to the near full dissociation of NaCl into Na+ and Cl− (often simplified as 2)
- i = 2.3 for calcium chloride in water, due to nearly full dissociation of CaCl2 into Ca2+ and 2Cl− (often simplified as 3)
Non integer i factors result from ion pairs in solution, which lower the effective number of particles in the solution.
Equation after including the van 't Hoff factor
- ΔTb = Kb · bsolute · i
The above formula reduces precision at high concentrations, due to nonideality of the solution. If the solute is volatile, one of the key assumptions used in deriving the formula is not true because the equation derived is for solutions of non-volatile solutes in a volatile solvent. In the case of volatile solutes, the equation can represent a mixture of volatile compounds more accurately, and the effect of the solute on the boiling point must be determined from the phase diagram of the mixture. In such cases, the mixture can sometimes have a lower boiling point than either of the pure components; a mixture with a minimum boiling point is a type of azeotrope.
Ebullioscopic constants
[edit]Values of the ebullioscopic constants Kb for selected solvents:[4]
| Compound | Boiling point in °C | Ebullioscopic constant Kb in units of [(°C·kg)/mol] or [°C/molal] |
|---|---|---|
| Acetic acid | 118.1 | 3.07 |
| Benzene | 80.1 | 2.53 |
| Carbon disulfide | 46.2 | 2.37 |
| Carbon tetrachloride | 76.8 | 4.95 |
| Naphthalene | 217.9 | 5.8 |
| Phenol | 181.75 | 3.04 |
| Water | 100 | 0.512 |
Uses
[edit]Together with the formula above, the boiling-point elevation can be used to measure the degree of dissociation or the molar mass of the solute. This kind of measurement is called ebullioscopy (Latin-Greek "boiling-viewing"). However, superheating is a factor that can affect the precision of the measurement and would be challenging to avoid because of the decrease in molecular mobility. Therefore, ΔTb would be hard to measure precisely even though superheating can be partially overcome by the invention of the Beckmann thermometer. In reality, cryoscopy is used more often because the freezing point is often easier to measure with precision.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Akhter, Mymoona; Alam, M. Mumtaz (2023), Akhter, Mymoona; Alam, M. Mumtaz (eds.), "Colligative Properties", Physical Pharmacy and Instrumental Methods of Analysis, Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, pp. 21–44, doi:10.1007/978-3-031-36777-9_3, ISBN 978-3-031-36777-9, retrieved 2024-11-30
- ^ P. W. Atkins, Physical Chemistry, 4th Ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1994, ISBN 0-19-269042-6, p. 222-225
- ^ "Colligative Properties and Molality - UBC Wiki".
- ^ P. W. Atkins, Physical Chemistry, 4th Ed., p. C17 (Table 7.2)
Boiling-point elevation
View on GrokipediaFundamentals
Definition and Mechanism
Boiling-point elevation refers to the increase in the boiling point of a solvent when a non-volatile solute is dissolved in it, defined as the difference (ΔT_b) between the boiling point of the solution and that of the pure solvent. This elevation is directly proportional to the molal concentration of the solute particles in the solution.[2] At the molecular level, the addition of a non-volatile solute reduces the vapor pressure of the solvent above the solution compared to the pure solvent, a phenomenon known as vapor pressure lowering. Since boiling occurs when the vapor pressure of the liquid equals the surrounding atmospheric pressure, the lowered vapor pressure means the solution must be heated to a higher temperature to achieve this equilibrium and begin boiling. This mechanism arises because solute particles occupy surface sites that would otherwise be available for solvent molecules to evaporate, thereby decreasing the rate of solvent evaporation and requiring elevated temperatures for boiling.[4] A common illustration of this effect is observed when table salt (sodium chloride) is added to water; the resulting saltwater solution has a higher boiling point than pure water, meaning it takes longer to reach boiling under the same conditions, such as cooking pasta in salted water.[5] This phenomenon was first systematically observed and studied by French chemist François-Marie Raoult in the late 19th century, as part of his investigations into colligative properties stemming from his formulation of Raoult's law between 1887 and 1888.[1]Colligative Property Characteristics
Colligative properties are physical characteristics of solutions that depend solely on the number of solute particles dissolved in the solvent, rather than on the chemical identity or nature of those particles. This includes phenomena such as vapor pressure lowering, boiling point elevation, freezing point depression, and osmotic pressure, which are most accurately observed in dilute, ideal solutions where solute-solvent interactions mimic those in the pure solvent. Boiling point elevation exemplifies this, as the addition of solute particles reduces the solvent's vapor pressure, requiring a higher temperature to reach atmospheric pressure for boiling.[6][1] A primary characteristic of boiling point elevation as a colligative property is its direct proportionality to the molality of the solution, which measures the concentration in moles of solute per kilogram of solvent, ensuring consistency across different solvents. This proportionality holds for non-volatile, non-electrolyte solutes, where each solute particle contributes equally to the effect without dissociation. For electrolyte solutes, however, the observed elevation deviates due to ionic dissociation, quantified by the van't Hoff factor (i), which represents the effective number of particles produced per formula unit of solute; for instance, sodium chloride yields an i close to 2 in dilute aqueous solutions, though often slightly less due to ion pairing.[6][1] The magnitude of boiling point elevation is influenced by the solvent's inherent properties, the volatility of the solute, and the ideality of the solution. Non-volatile solutes are assumed, as they do not contribute significantly to the total vapor pressure, allowing the effect to stem primarily from solvent molecules. In ideal solutions, solute particles dilute the solvent uniformly without altering molecular interactions, but deviations arise when solute-solvent attractions differ markedly from solvent-solvent ones.[7][1] Limitations of this colligative behavior become evident with volatile solutes, which add their own partial vapor pressure, complicating the pure solvent's contribution and invalidating simple proportionality. In concentrated solutions, non-ideal effects dominate, where activity coefficients—measures of effective concentration accounting for intermolecular forces—deviate from unity, leading to unpredictable elevations beyond dilute regimes. These constraints highlight that colligative models are approximations best suited to low solute concentrations.[6][1]Theoretical Aspects
Boiling Point Elevation Formula
The boiling point elevation, denoted as , represents the increase in the boiling temperature of a solution compared to the pure solvent and is given by the equation where is the van't Hoff factor, is the ebullioscopic constant of the solvent, and is the molality of the solute.[8][9] In this formula, molality measures the concentration of the solute in terms of moles of solute particles per kilogram of solvent, ensuring the property depends on the number of particles rather than their identity.[1] The ebullioscopic constant is a solvent-specific property that indicates the boiling point increase per unit molality for a non-dissociating solute.[2] The van't Hoff factor accounts for the number of particles a solute dissociates into in solution; for non-electrolytes like glucose, , while for electrolytes like sodium chloride (NaCl), which dissociates into two ions, under ideal conditions./08%3A_Solutions/8.04%3A_Colligative_Properties-_Boiling_Point_Elevation_and_Freezing_Point_Depression)[9] This formula applies under the assumptions of ideal dilute solutions, where solute-solvent interactions are negligible, the solute is non-volatile (contributing no vapor pressure), and boiling occurs at standard atmospheric pressure./16%3A_The_Chemical_Activity_of_the_Components_of_a_Solution/16.10%3A_Colligative_Properties_-_Boiling-point_Elevation)[4] For example, in a 1 molal aqueous solution of glucose (where and for water), the boiling point elevation is , raising the boiling point from to approximately .[10][1]Derivation from Raoult's Law
Raoult's law states that the partial vapor pressure of a solvent over an ideal dilute solution is equal to the mole fraction of the solvent multiplied by the vapor pressure of the pure solvent at the same temperature: , where is the mole fraction of the solvent and is the vapor pressure of the pure solvent.[11] This law applies to solutions with non-volatile solutes, as the solute does not contribute to the total vapor pressure.[12] Boiling occurs when the total vapor pressure of the solution equals the external atmospheric pressure . For the pure solvent, the normal boiling point is defined as the temperature at which . In the solution, the boiling point is the temperature where , so .[11] Since and the solution is dilute (), this approximates to , yielding .[13] To relate the temperature change to the solute concentration, the Clausius-Clapeyron equation is used, which describes the temperature dependence of the vapor pressure for the pure solvent: where is the enthalpy of vaporization (assumed constant), is the gas constant, and is the temperature. Integrating over a small temperature interval gives Substituting the approximation for the vapor pressures, , and using for small , yields [11][13] The mole fraction of the solute is related to the molality (moles of solute per kg of solvent) by for dilute aqueous solutions, where is the molar mass of the solvent in g/mol. For electrolytes that dissociate into particles (van't Hoff factor), this becomes . Substituting gives where is the molal boiling-point elevation constant.[12][11] This derivation relies on key approximations: the solution is dilute such that and higher-order terms can be neglected, and is temperature-independent over the small . These assumptions hold well for ideal or near-ideal dilute solutions.[13][11]Comparative Properties
Relation to Freezing Point Depression
Boiling-point elevation and freezing-point depression are both colligative properties that stem from the interactions between solute particles and solvent molecules, which disrupt the phase equilibria of the pure solvent. These effects depend on the number of solute particles rather than their nature, leading to changes in the solvent's vapor pressure and chemical potential. In both cases, the magnitude of the temperature shift is proportional to the molality of the solution and follows a similar mathematical form: , where is the respective constant, is the molality, and is the van't Hoff factor accounting for dissociation.[1][14] The mechanisms differ fundamentally due to the distinct phase transitions involved. Boiling-point elevation occurs because the solute lowers the solvent's vapor pressure, requiring a higher temperature to achieve equilibrium with the external pressure during the endothermic vaporization process. In contrast, freezing-point depression arises from the need to equalize the chemical potential between the solid and liquid phases in the presence of solute, shifting the exothermic fusion equilibrium to a lower temperature. The ebullioscopic constant () and cryoscopic constant () differ in value because the enthalpy of vaporization () is significantly larger than the enthalpy of fusion (), resulting in for most solvents like water.[1][15][16] Thermodynamically, both properties are analogous, derived from the Gibbs phase rule, which governs the degrees of freedom in phase equilibria, and concepts of fugacity, which equate the escaping tendencies of components across phases. Boiling-point elevation increases the normal boiling temperature (), while freezing-point depression lowers the normal freezing temperature (), effectively widening the liquid range of the solution.[17][18] In practice, these properties are exploited together in cryoscopy and ebullioscopy to determine the molecular weights of solutes by measuring temperature shifts and extrapolating to infinite dilution for accuracy, with ebullioscopy often preferred for nonvolatile compounds due to fewer complications from solid-phase interactions.[19]Ebullioscopic Constants
The ebullioscopic constant, denoted , is a characteristic property of a solvent that relates the molality of a non-volatile solute to the resulting elevation in the solvent's boiling point. It appears in the boiling point elevation equation as , where is the molality, and has units of °C kg/mol (or °C/m)./14:_Properties_of_Solutions/14.02:_Colligative_Properties) The value of for a given solvent is determined theoretically from its thermodynamic properties using the relation where is the gas constant (8.314 J/mol·K), is the normal boiling point of the pure solvent in Kelvin, is the molar mass of the solvent in g/mol, and is the molar enthalpy of vaporization at . The factor of 1000 accounts for the definition of molality in moles per kilogram of solvent. This formula assumes ideal dilute solution behavior and derives from the Clausius-Clapeyron equation applied to the solvent's vapor pressure lowering.[20] Experimentally, is determined by preparing solutions of known molality with a non-volatile solute and measuring the precise boiling point elevation using ebullioscopic methods, such as the Landsberger-Walker apparatus or differential boiling point apparatus, under controlled constant pressure. The constant is then calculated as from data extrapolated to infinite dilution to minimize solute-solute interactions. Accuracy depends on factors like solvent purity (impurities can alter vapor pressure), precise temperature control (typically ±0.01 °C), and maintaining atmospheric pressure to avoid shifts in .[12] Values of vary significantly among solvents due to differences in their boiling points and enthalpies of vaporization; higher and lower generally yield larger . Representative values for common solvents, based on experimental measurements, are provided in the table below.| Solvent | (°C kg/mol) |
|---|---|
| Water | 0.512 |
| Ethanol | 1.22 |
| Benzene | 2.53 |
| Acetic acid | 3.07 |
| Acetone | 1.71 |
