I keep getting “Colligative property” questions wrong in Solutions & Colligative Properties. What's the trap?
thinking the kind of solute (sugar vs salt) matters more than how many particles it makes.
The usual trap: thinking the kind of solute (sugar vs salt) matters more than how many particles it makes. How to avoid it: colligative = counts particles; 1 mole of NaCl ≈ 2 moles of particles. Go back to the definition — a property that depends only on the NUMBER of solute particles, not their identity — like freezing-point depression or osmotic pressure.
Key point
Colligative property
Common mistake
thinking the kind of solute (sugar vs salt) matters more than how many particles it makes.
Memory tip
colligative = counts particles; 1 mole of NaCl ≈ 2 moles of particles.
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