An aqueous solution of sodium chloride freezes below 273 K. Explain the lowering in freezing point of water with the help of a suitable diagram.
Solution
A substance freezes when the vapour pressure of its liquid equals that of its solid. Dissolved NaCl lowers the vapour pressure of water, so the solution's vapour-pressure curve lies below that of pure water. The curve of ice is unchanged; the solution's curve now intersects the ice curve at a temperature lower than 273 K. Hence the solution freezes below 273 K, the depression being ΔTf=Tf∘−Tf (see figure).Vapour pressure vs temperature: the solution's curve cuts the ice curve below 273 K (depression of freezing point)