Lesson 6.

3
Colligative Properties of Nonelectrolyte Solutions:
Freezing-Point Depression
Contents
Introduction 1

Learning Objective 2

Warm Up 2

Learn about It! 4

Freezing Point 4
Freezing-Point Depression 5
Calculating Freezing-Point Depression 5

Key Points 11

Key Formulas 12

Check Your Understanding 12

Challenge Yourself 14

Bibliography 15

Key to Try It! 15

Unit 6: Colligative Properties of Solutions

Lesson 6.3

Colligative Properties of
Nonelectrolyte Solutions:
Freezing-Point Depression
Introduction

Have you seen pictures or videos of trucks sprinkling salts on icy roads in countries with
snow? This process is called de-icing. Why do you think they do this? Ice forms when the
temperature of the water reaches 0°C, and that includes ice on roadways. They use salt,
urea, or calcium chloride to melt ice on roads and sidewalks. The salt makes it harder for
water from freezing as the freezing point of the water decreases once the salt is added. In
this lesson, you will learn how the freezing point of a solvent is depressed in the presence
of solutes.

6.3. Colligative Properties of Nonelectrolyte Solutions: Freezing-Point Depression 1

Unit 6: Colligative Properties of Solutions

Learning Objective DepEd Competencies

In this lesson, you should be able to ● Calculate freezing point

depression from the concentration
describe and discuss the effects of a solute
of a solute in a solution
on the freezing point of a solvent. (STEM_GC11PP-IIId-f-117).
● Describe the effect of
concentration on the colligative
properties of solutions
(STEM_GC11PP-IIId-f-115).
● Calculate molar mass from
colligative property data
(STEM_GC11PP-IIId-f-118).

Warm Up

Who is More Depressed?

30 minutes
When you add rubbing alcohol to water, you might feel that it is colder to touch, but when
you try to put the mixture inside the freezer, you might observe that it never freezes. In this
activity, you will demonstrate how solutes affect the freezing point of water.

Materials
● 8-inch test tube
● rubber stopper with a hole
● stirring apparatus
● distilled water
● thermometer
● rock salt
● sugar

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Unit 6: Colligative Properties of Solutions

Procedure
1. Place 10-mL of distilled water in an 8-inch test tube. Insert the entire apparatus and
as shown in the figure below. Note: Make sure that the thermometer bulb is immersed
in the liquid.

Fig. 6.3.1. Ice-salt water bath setup of freezing point apparatus

2. Allow the water to cool with continuous stirring until a formation of ice-water slush is
observed in the tube.
3. Then after removing the test tube from the bath, stir vigorously and take note of the
constant temperature during the time that ice and water are both present. This is the
freezing point of pure water.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 by replacing the water in the test tube with 10 mL of the
methanol solution. Each solution contains 1.00 g of solute dissolved in 10.0 mL of
water.
5. For the methanol solution, record the temperature at which the last ice crystal melts.
This is the freezing point of the solution.
6. Answer the guide questions below.

6.3. Colligative Properties of Nonelectrolyte Solutions: Freezing-Point Depression 3

Unit 6: Colligative Properties of Solutions

Data Table
Table 6.3.1. Temperature measurements (in ºC) and observations on beakers A and B

Beaker Freezing Point Observation

A (pure water)

B (methanol solution)

Guide Questions
1. From your observation, is there any difference in the freezing point between pure
water and methanol solution?
2. Based on the activity, what do you think happens to the freezing point when a solute
is dissolved in a pure solvent?
3. How will you know if the sample is in the process of freezing?

Learn about It!

Freezing Point
In the previous lessons, we examined the lowering of the vapor pressure of a solvent and
elevation of the boiling point produced by a dissolved solute.

The temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid is at equilibrium to the vapor of its
corresponding solid state is called freezing point. When a solute is dissolved in a solvent, we
can observe a decrease in the freezing point of the solvent in the solution. We refer to this
situation as freezing-point depression. Freezing-point depression is another type of
colligative property where it is only dependent on the concentration of the solute particles
present in the solution.

6.3. Colligative Properties of Nonelectrolyte Solutions: Freezing-Point Depression 4

Unit 6: Colligative Properties of Solutions

How does the depression in freezing point occur?

Freezing-Point Depression
Freezing-point depression happens when a solute is added to the pure solvent that results
in the lowering of the freezing point of the solvent. When a pure solvent freezes, its particles
move slower and become more ordered as the intermolecular forces that operate between
the molecules become stable. For water molecules, the hydrogen bonds create a
hexagonally-shaped network of molecules that result in the structure of ice. By adding a
solute into the liquid solvent, this ordering process is disrupted. Thereby, to freeze it, more
energy must be removed from the solution, and the freezing point of the solution is lower
than that of the pure solvent. One example is when salt is added to water, it is harder to
form ice since Na+ and Cl– ions tend to attract the water molecules. In making ice, the
solution must be cooled to a lower temperature. The difference between the freezing point
of the pure solvent and its solution is called depression in freezing point.

Freezing-point depression is also related to vapor pressure. Vapor pressure of both solid
and liquid states must be equal at the freezing point to reach equilibrium, and according to
Raoult’s law, an addition of a solute to a solvent leads to a decrease in vapor pressure.
Therefore, lowering the vapor pressure results in the lowering of the temperature at which
the vapor pressures of the liquid and solid states of the solution will be equal.

Calculating Freezing-Point Depression

The difference between the freezing points of a solution and pure solvent can be written as:

Equation 6.3.1

where Tf is the freezing point of the solution, and Ti is the freezing point of the pure solvent.

6.3. Colligative Properties of Nonelectrolyte Solutions: Freezing-Point Depression 5

Unit 6: Colligative Properties of Solutions

Fig. 6.3.2. Phase diagram of solution-solvent Indicating the freezing point depression

Just like in boiling-point elevation, the change in freezing points between pure solvent and a
solution is directly proportional to the molal concentration of the solute particles. The
negative sign in the last two expressions in Equation 6.3.2 results in positive Kf because ∆T is
negative while the concentration is positive. In some textbooks, Kf is already a negative
value. If this is the case, the negative sign should not be used anymore. Always remember
that the freezing point of the solution is always lower than that of the pure solvent.

Equation 6.3.2

Equation 6.3.3

where ΔTf is the freezing point depression, Kf is the freezing point depression constant, and
m is the molality of the solution.

Synonymous with the boiling point elevation, freezing point depression constants are also
properties that depend on the identity of the solvent. The values of Kf for some solvent are
listed in Table 6.3.2.

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Unit 6: Colligative Properties of Solutions

Table 6.3.2. Freezing point depression constants for some solvents

Solvent Freezing Point (°C at 1 atm) Kf (oC/m)

water 0.0 1.89

hydrogen acetate 16.6 3.9

benzene 5.5 5.12

chloroform -63.5 4.68

Remember
Freezing point depression is directly proportional to vapor pressure
when a solute is added to a solvent; the freezing point of the
solution also decreases.

Let’s Practice!

Example 1

Calculate the freezing point of an aqueous solution where enough lactic acid (C6H10O5) is
added to make a 0.25 molal solution. The Kf for water is 1.86 °C/m.

Solution
Step 1: Identify the given.
Kf of water = 1.86 °C/m
m = 0.25

Step 2: Identify what is asked in the problem.

The problem asks to solve for the freezing point of an aqueous solution.

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Unit 6: Colligative Properties of Solutions

Step 3: Write the working equation.

Step 4: Substitute the values and solve for the new freezing point of water.

Step 5: Find the answer.

The new freezing point of water is -0.465 °C, since the freezing point of pure water is 0 °C.

1 Try It!
Calculate the freezing of an aqueous solution where enough lactic acid (C6H10O5) is
added to make a 0.30 molal solution. The Kf for water is 1.86 °C/m.

Example 2
What is the freezing point elevation when 120 g of lactic acid (C6H10O5) is dissolved in 600 g
of cyclohexane (C6H12)? Note that the freezing point of cyclohexane is 6.55 oC, and its
freezing point depression constant is 20.1 °C/m.

Solution
Step 1: Identify the given.
C6H10O5 = 120 g
C6H12 = 600 g
Kf of cyclohexane = 20.1 °C/m
Ti = 6.55 oC

Step 2: Identify what is asked in the problem.

The problem asks to find the freezing point depression.

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Unit 6: Colligative Properties of Solutions

Step 3: Write the working equation.

Step 4: Substitute the values.

First, solve for the molality of the solution. The molecular weight of lactic acid is
162.14 g/mol.

Then, substitute the values in the working equation.

Step 5: Find the answer.

Cyclohexane freezes at 6.55 °C. Therefore, the new freezing point of the solution would be
6.55 ºC – 24.8ºC = –18.24 °C.

2 Try It!
What is the freezing point elevation when 60 g of lactic acid (C6H10O5) is dissolved in
300 g of cyclohexane (C6H12)? The freezing point elevation constant for cyclohexane is
20.1 °C/m?

6.3. Colligative Properties of Nonelectrolyte Solutions: Freezing-Point Depression 9

Unit 6: Colligative Properties of Solutions

Example 3
A solution was prepared by dissolving some acetone, (CH3)2CO, in 55.0 g of pure water. The
freezing point of the solution at 1 atm was -0.51 °C. How much acetone, in grams, was
dissolved to yield the solution? The Kf for water is 1.86 °C/m.

Solution
Step 1: Identify the given.
Kf for water = 1.86 °C/m
freezing point of solution = -0.51 °C
Mass of solvent (water) = 55 g

Step 2: Identify what is asked in the problem.

You are asked to solve for the mass of acetone used to yield the solution.

Step 3: Write the working equation.

But molality is defined as

Then,

Step 4: Substitute the values.

6.3. Colligative Properties of Nonelectrolyte Solutions: Freezing-Point Depression 10

Unit 6: Colligative Properties of Solutions

Step 5: Find the answer.

Then, convert moles to grams using the molar mass.

Therefore, 0.876 grams of acetone was dissolved to produce the solution.

3 Try It!
A solution was prepared by dissolving some acetone, (CH3)2CO, in 25.0 g of pure
water. The freezing point of the solution at 1 atm was -0.35°C. How much acetone, in
grams, was dissolved to yield the solution? The Kf for water is 1.86 °C/m.

Why are the solvents with higher Kf value preferred

when determining molar mass?

Key Points
___________________________________________________________________________________________

● The freezing point of a substance is the temperature at which the solid and liquid
forms are in equilibrium.
● Freezing-point depression occurs when a solute is added to the pure solvent that
results in the lowering of the freezing point of the solvent.
○ It can be calculated by using the pure solvent freezing point and the
molality of the solution.
● The freezing-point depression is directly proportional to the vapor pressure, lowering
the vapor pressure results in depression in freezing point.
___________________________________________________________________________________________

6.3. Colligative Properties of Nonelectrolyte Solutions: Freezing-Point Depression 11

Unit 6: Colligative Properties of Solutions

Key Formulas
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Concept Formula Description

Difference between Use this formula to solve for

the freezing points the difference between the
of a solution and freezing points of a
pure solvent where: solution and pure solvent
● ΔT is the difference
between freezing points
● Tf is the freezing point of
the solution
● Ti is the freezing point of
the pure solvent

Freezing-point Use this formula to solve for

depression the freezing-point
depression.

where:
● ΔTf is the freezing point
depression
● Kf is the freezing point
depression constant
● m is the molality of the
solution of an ideal solution
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Check Your Understanding

A. Identify the terms described in each of the following

items.

_______ 1. This is the phenomenon that results in the lowering of the freezing point
of the solvent when a solute is added.

6.3. Colligative Properties of Nonelectrolyte Solutions: Freezing-Point Depression 12

Unit 6: Colligative Properties of Solutions

_______ 2. The unit m stands for this unit of concentration.

_______ 3. This is the temperature at which the solid and liquid forms are in
equilibrium.

_______ 4. This is the symbol used to refer to the freezing point depression constant.

_______ 5. This is the value for the freezing point of water.

B. Write T if the following statement is true. Otherwise,

write F.

_______ 1. Freezing point depression is a noncolligative property

_______ 2. In a solution, when a solute is added to a pure solvent, freezing point

decreases, while the boiling point increases

_______ 3. Freezing point elevation is directly proportional to the molal concentration

of the solute.

_______ 4. Kf stands for freezing point elevation.

_______ 5. Freezing point depression is also dependent on the temperature of the

solute particles.

C. Solve the following problems. Show the complete

solution in your notebook.

1. What is the freezing point of the solution when 60 g of water is mixed with 12 grams
of glucose? The MW of glucose is 180.156 g/mole.
2. How many grams of sucrose (MW = 342.3 g/mol) must be added to 20.0 g of ethanol
to change its freezing point to -121.0 oC? The normal freezing point of ethanol is
-117.30 oC, and the Kf of ethanol is 1.99 oC/m.
3. When 0.32 g of benzoic acid was added to 40.0 g of benzene, the freezing point of
the solution was lowered to 4.23 °C. Find the molecular weight of the benzoic acid?

6.3. Colligative Properties of Nonelectrolyte Solutions: Freezing-Point Depression 13

Unit 6: Colligative Properties of Solutions

4. Determine the molar mass of 65.0 g of a nonvolatile substance that depresses the
freezing point of 0.410 kg of water 0.70 °C?
5. When 25.0 g of an unknown nonelectrolyte compound is dissolved in 470.0 g of
benzene, the freezing point depression has gone to 4.27 °C. What is the molar mass
of the unknown compound?
6. Calculate the freezing point of a 2.3 m solution of a nonvolatile nonelectrolyte solute
in nitrobenzene.
7. A solution is prepared by dissolving 0.300 g of an unknown solute in 69.0 g
cyclohexane. The freezing point of the cyclohexane is 6.50 °C. Calculate the molar
mass of the unknown solute when the freezing point of the solution is 4.80 °C.
8. What is the freezing point of a solution of ethanol, that contains 26.0 g of the solute
(C2H5OH), dissolved in 890.0 g of water?
9. When 1.12 g of an unknown nonelectrolyte dissolves in 35.0 g of water, the solution
freezes at −3.16 °C. Determine the molecular weight of the unknown compound.
10. 3.40 g of naphthalene (C10H8) is dissolved in 40.0 g of benzene. The freezing point of
the solution is 4.8 oC. What is the molal freezing point depression constant, Kf of
benzene?

Challenge Yourself

Answer the following questions.

1. What will be the freezing point of a water solution that has a boiling point of 120.5
°C?
2. Phytonadione, or more known as vitamin K1, serves important roles in blood clotting
mechanisms, bone health, and even bone health. When 0.368 g is dissolved in 12.0 g
of camphor, the freezing point is lowered by 2.45 °C.
3. Ethylene glycol (C2H6O2), a nonelectrolyte, was added to 25.0 L of water to produce an
antifreeze solution with a freezing point of −55.0 °C. The density of ethylene glycol is
1.11 g/cm3, and the density of water is 1.00 g/cm3.
a. Determine the moles of the solute.
b. What is the molar mass?
c. What is the volume the solute occupies?

6.3. Colligative Properties of Nonelectrolyte Solutions: Freezing-Point Depression 14

Unit 6: Colligative Properties of Solutions

Bibliography
Brown T.L. et al. 2012. Chemistry: The Central Science. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
Prentice Hall. Print.

Chang, Raymond and Kenneth A. Goldsby. 2016. Chemistry. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill
Education. Print.

Petrucci, Ralph H. 2011. General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications. Toronto,
Ontario: Pearson Canada. Print.

Silberberg, Martin S. 2007. Principles of General Chemistry. Pennsylvania State University:

McGraw-Hill Higher Education. 2007. Print.

Whitten, Kenneth W. 2013. Chemistry (10th ed). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Print.

Key to Try It!

1. –0.558 °C
2. 18.24 °C
3. 0.398 g

6.3. Colligative Properties of Nonelectrolyte Solutions: Freezing-Point Depression 15