LearnChemE

Interactive Self-Study Module: Solids in Solution and Colligative Properties

Overview:

This module uses screencasts and interactive simulations to explain solids in solution and colligative properties. Your retention of material in this module will increase if you write down reasons for your answers to ConcepTests, questions in screencasts, and questions to answer before using interactive simulations, and you try to solve the example problems before watching the screencast solutions. We suggest using the learning resources in the following order:

  1. Attempt to answer the multiple-choice ConcepTest and solve the example problem before watching the screencasts or working with the simulations.
  2. Watch the screencasts that discuss solubility and colligative properties and answer the questions within the screencasts.
  3. Review important equations for solids in solution and colligative properties.
  4. Use the interactive simulation to further understand the behavior of evaporative crystallization.
  5. Try to solve the example problems before watching the solutions in the screencasts.
  6. Answer the ConcepTests.
  7. Look at the list of key points, but only after you try to list the key points yourself.
Motivation:
  •  This module is intended for a material and energy balances course.
Before studying this module, you should be able to:
After studying this module, you should be able to:
  • Conduct mass balances on an evaporative crystallization system by taking into account temperature-dependent solubility.
  • Calculate boiling point elevation for a given mole fraction of solute.
  • Calculate freezing point depression for a given mole fraction of solute.
  • Explain the difference between saturation and supersaturation for a solid dissolved in a liquid.