Question

How does adding a non-volatile solute to a pure solvent affect the boiling point of the pure solvent?

The solvent will have a lower boiling point.

The solvent will have a higher boiling point.

The solvent's boiling point will not be affected.

The solvent's boiling point will most likely change, but not in a predictable way.

Answer 1

The correct answer is the second statement. The solvent will have a higher boiling point. Adding a non-volatile solute to a pure solvent will increase the boiling point of the solvent. This solution exhibit colligative properties. Colligative properties depend on the amount of solute dissolved in a solvent. These set of properties do not depend on the type of species present.