The (approximate)

vant Hoff factor

A very important consideration for the colligative properties

See also the handout:

http://www.roanestate.edu/faculty/condon/handouts/vanthoff.html

The vant Hoff factor

The vant Hoff factor is extreamly important when one makes
calculations involving colligative properties. Recall that in
colligative properties the nature of the solute is not important,
only the number of particles.

The vant Hoff factor

The vant Hoff factor is extreamly important when one makes
calculations involving colligative properties. Recall that in
colligative properties the nature of the solute is not important,
only the number of particles.
Consider the situations indicated by the figures below.

neutral
molecule
Na+ ion
ClG ion

Water solutions

The vant Hoff factor

Consider the situations indicated by the figures below.
As far as the solvent is concerned is there any difference?
The neutral molecule and the NaCl are taking up the same
number of positions.

neutral
molecule
Na+ ion
ClG ion

Water solutions

The vant Hoff factor

Consider the situations indicated by the figures below.
As far as the solvent is concerned is there any difference?
The neutral molecule and the NaCl are taking up the same
number of positions. Shown, however are 12 neutral
molecules but only 6 formula units of NaCl.

neutral
molecule
Na+ ion
ClG ion

Water solutions

The vant Hoff factor

Consider the situations indicated by the figures below.
As far as the solvent is concerned is there any difference?
The neutral molecule and the NaCl are taking up the same
number of positions. Shown, however are 12 neutral
molecules but only 6 formula units of NaCl.
Thus, for NaCl the number of moles dissolved needs to be
multiplied by 2!
neutral
molecule
Na+ ion
ClG ion

Water solutions

The vant Hoff factor

This factor of 2 for NaCl is the (approximate) vant Hoff factor.
This factor, given the symbol i , is greater than 1 for all
strong electrolytes.

The vant Hoff factor

This factor of 2 for NaCl is the (approximate) vant Hoff factor.
This factor, given the symbol i , is greater than 1 for all
strong electrolytes.
i for NaCl = 2 Why? Because NaCl

H2O

Na + + ClG

Thus each formal mole of NaCl yields 2 moles of ions in

water.
Consider other electrolytes:

The vant Hoff factor

This factor of 2 for NaCl is the (approximate) vant Hoff factor.
This factor, given the symbol i , is greater than 1 for all
strong electrolytes.
i for NaCl = 2 Why? Because NaCl

H2O

Na + + ClG

Consider other electrolytes:

i for HCl = 2 HCl is a strong acid

HCl + H2O ! H3O+ + ClG

The vant Hoff factor

This factor of 2 for NaCl is the (approximate) vant Hoff factor.
This factor, given the symbol i , is greater than 1 for all
strong electrolytes.
i for NaCl = 2 Why? Because NaCl

H2O

Na + + ClG

Consider other electrolytes:

i for HCl = 2

HCl is a strong acid: HCl + H2O ! H3O+ + ClG

i for NaOH = 2 NaOH is strong base: NaOH

H2O

Na + + OHG

The vant Hoff factor

This factor of 2 for NaCl is the (approximate) vant Hoff factor.
This factor, given the symbol i , is greater than 1 for all
strong electrolytes.
i for NaCl = 2 Why? Because NaCl

H2O

Na + + ClG

Consider other electrolytes:

i for HCl = 2

HCl is a strong acid: HCl + H2O ! H3O+ + ClG

i for NaOH = 2 NaOH is strong base: NaOH

i for Ca(OH)2 = 3 a strong base: Ca(OH)2

H2O

H2O

Na + + OHG

Ca2+ + 2OHG

The vant Hoff factor

This factor of 2 for NaCl is the (approximate) vant Hoff
factor. This factor, given the symbol i , is greater than 1 for
all strong electrolytes.
i for NaCl = 2 Why? Because NaCl

H2O

Na + + ClG

Consider other electrolytes:

i for HCl = 2

HCl is a strong acid: HCl + H2O ! H3O+ + ClG

i for NaOH = 2 NaOH is strong base: NaOH

i for Ca(OH)2 = 3 a strong base: Ca(OH)2

H2O

H2O

Na + + OHG
Ca2+ + 2OHG

i for H2SO4 = 2! 1st H is strong: H2SO4+H2O ! HSO4G+H3O+

i for FeCl3 = 4 all salts are strong: FeCl3

H2O

Fe 3+ + 3ClG

The vant Hoff factor

Summarizing the examples:
HO
i for NaCl = 2
NaCl
Na+ + ClG
i for HCl = 2
HCl + H2O ! H3O+ + ClG
i for NaOH = 2
NaOH H O Na+ + OHG
i for Ca(OH)2 = 3
Ca(OH)2 H O Ca2+ + 2OHG
H2SO4+H2O ! HSO4G+H3O+
i for H2SO4 = 2
i for FeCl3 = 4
FeCl3 H O Fe 3+ + 3ClG
i for Na2S = 3
Na2S H O 2Na+ + S2G
2

The vant Hoff factor

Summarizing the examples:
HO
i for NaCl = 2
NaCl
Na+ + ClG
i for HCl = 2
HCl + H2O ! H3O+ + ClG
i for NaOH = 2
NaOH H O Na+ + OHG
i for Ca(OH)2 = 3
Ca(OH)2 H O Ca2+ + 2OHG
H2SO4+H2O ! HSO4G+H3O+
i for H2SO4 = 2
i for FeCl3 = 4
FeCl3 H O Fe 3+ + 3ClG
i for Na2S = 3
Na2S H O 2Na+ + S2G
2

But what about nonelectrolytes and weak electrolytes?

These are all approximately 1.

The vant Hoff factor

Summarizing the examples:
HO
i for NaCl = 2
NaCl
Na+ + ClG
i for HCl = 2
HCl + H2O ! H3O+ + ClG
i for NaOH = 2
NaOH H O Na+ + OHG
i for Ca(OH)2 = 3
Ca(OH)2 H O Ca2+ + 2OHG
H2SO4+H2O ! HSO4G+H3O+
i for H2SO4 = 2
i for FeCl3 = 4
FeCl3 H O Fe 3+ + 3ClG
i for Na2S = 3
Na2S H O 2Na+ + S2G
2

But what about nonelectrolytes and weak electrolytes?

These are all approximately 1.
CH3OH (methanol an organic)
i=1
i=1
CH3COOH (a weak acid)
CH3OCH3 (dimethyl ether an organic) i = 1
NH3 (a weak base)
i=1

The vant Hoff factor

Summarizing the examples:
HO
i for NaCl = 2
NaCl
Na+ + ClG
i for HCl = 2
HCl + H2O ! H3O+ + ClG
i for NaOH = 2
NaOH H O Na+ + OHG
i for Ca(OH)2 = 3
Ca(OH)2 H O Ca2+ + 2OHG
i for H2SO4 = 2
H2SO4+H2O ! HSO4G+H3O+
i for FeCl3 = 4
FeCl3 H O Fe 3+ + 3ClG
i for Na2S = 3
Na2S H O 2Na+ + S2G
CH3OH (methanol an organic)
i=1
CH3COOH (a weak acid)
i=1
CH3OCH3 (dimethyl ether an organic) i = 1
NH3 (a weak base)
i=1
These factors are approximate and the true values, due to
other subtle effects, are slightly different. We will ignore
these subtleties in General Chemistry.
2

The (approximate)
vant Hoff factor
Now that you know what the vant Hoff factor is, proceed to
the slideshow on the application of the vant Hoff factor.
THE END for the slideshow The (approximate) vant Hoff
factor.

See also the handout:

http://www.roanestate.edu/faculty/condon/handouts/vanthoff.html