What are colligative properties?

Colligative properties are defined as properties of solutions that depend on the quantity of solute particles present in the solution, rather than the nature or identity of those solute particles. This means that any solute that dissolves in a solvent and increases the number of solute particles in the solution will contribute similarly to these properties, regardless of the specific characteristics of the solute itself.

Common examples of colligative properties include boiling point elevation, freezing point depression, vapor pressure lowering, and osmotic pressure. Each of these properties changes as the concentration of solute particles increases, illustrating that the effect is due to the number of particles in solution rather than the type of particles. This characteristic is contrasted with properties that depend on the intrinsic nature of the solute or those that are affected by temperature alone.

In the context of the choices provided, the definition aligns precisely with the option that states colligative properties depend solely on the number of solute particles and not their chemical nature. Understanding this distinction is crucial for predicting and explaining the behavior of solutions in various chemical contexts.