Colligative Properties

Colligative properties are properties of dilute solutions that depend only on the number of solute particles and not on the type of species present.

• Boiling point elevation
• Freezing point depression
• Osmotic pressure

How do colligative properties depend on the number of solute particles?

Colligative properties depend on the number of solute particles because the solute particles interfere with the interactions between the solvent molecules. This interference lowers the vapor pressure of the solution, which in turn raises the boiling point, lowers the freezing point, and increases the osmotic pressure.