1. What is the Van't Hoff Factor?

The Van't Hoff factor (i) is a measure of the effect of a solute on colligative properties such as osmotic pressure, boiling point elevation, freezing point depression, and relative vapor pressure lowering. It represents the number of particles a solute dissociates into in solution.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Van't Hoff factor formula:

Where:

• \( i \) — Van't Hoff factor (dimensionless)
• \( \alpha \) — Dissociation degree (dimensionless, 0-1)
• \( n \) — Number of ions formed from one formula unit (count)

Explanation: The formula accounts for the extent of dissociation of a solute in solution, where α=0 for non-electrolytes and α=1 for strong electrolytes that completely dissociate.

3. Importance of Van't Hoff Factor

Details: The Van't Hoff factor is crucial for accurately predicting colligative properties of solutions, which is essential in fields like chemistry, biology, pharmacy, and environmental science.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter dissociation degree (α) as a value between 0 and 1, and the number of ions (n) as a positive integer. For non-electrolytes, use α=0 and n=1. For strong electrolytes, use α=1 and the appropriate n value.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the Van't Hoff factor for glucose?
A: For glucose (a non-electrolyte), α=0 and n=1, so i=1.

Q2: What is the Van't Hoff factor for NaCl?
A: For NaCl (a strong electrolyte), α=1 and n=2, so i=2.

Q3: What is the Van't Hoff factor for CaCl₂?
A: For CaCl₂ (a strong electrolyte), α=1 and n=3, so i=3.

Q4: How does temperature affect the Van't Hoff factor?
A: For weak electrolytes, the dissociation degree (α) increases with temperature, which increases the Van't Hoff factor.

Q5: Can the Van't Hoff factor be less than 1?
A: No, the Van't Hoff factor is always ≥1, as it represents the number of particles in solution relative to the number of formula units dissolved.