Freezing Point Depression
What is Freezing Point Depression?
Freezing point depression is a colligative property in which the freezing point of a solvent is lowered by the addition of a solute. The magnitude of the depression is given by ΔTf = Kf × m, where Kf is the cryoscopic constant of the solvent and m is the molality of the solute. This principle is exploited in antifreeze formulations, road de-icing salts, and the determination of molar masses of unknown substances.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Freezing point depression is a colligative property in which the freezing point of a solvent is lowered by the addition of a solute. The magnitude of the depression is given by ΔTf = Kf × m, where Kf is the cryoscopic constant of the solvent and m is the molality of the solute. This principle is exploited in antifreeze formulations, road de-icing salts, and the determination of molar masses of unknown substances.