Which of the following statements correctly defines colligative properties?

• A. Colligative properties are properties of pure solvents that change when a solute is added, regardless of the amount.
• B. Colligative properties are physical properties that depend on the molecular weight of the solute.
• C. Colligative properties are chemical properties that depend on the type of solute dissolved in the solvent.
• D. Colligative properties are physical properties of solutions that depend only on the number of solute particles present, not on their identity.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that colligative properties are related to solutions, specifically how certain physical properties change when a solute is dissolved in a solvent.
2. Recall that colligative properties depend on the number of solute particles in the solution, not on the chemical nature or identity of those particles.
3. Recognize that these properties are physical, not chemical, meaning they involve changes in measurable physical characteristics like boiling point, freezing point, vapor pressure, and osmotic pressure.
4. Note that colligative properties do not depend on the molecular weight or type of solute, but solely on the quantity (moles) of solute particles present in the solution.
5. Conclude that the correct definition of colligative properties is: physical properties of solutions that depend only on the number of solute particles present, not on their identity.