Which statement best describes the freezing behavior of vinegar under typical conditions?

• A. Vinegar freezes at the same temperature as pure water because it is mostly water.
• B. Vinegar freezes at a higher temperature than pure water because acetic acid raises the freezing point.
• C. Vinegar does not freeze under any conditions.
• D. Vinegar freezes at a lower temperature than pure water due to the presence of acetic acid.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that vinegar is a solution primarily composed of water and acetic acid, where acetic acid acts as a solute dissolved in water.
2. Recall the concept of freezing point depression, which states that the presence of a solute lowers the freezing point of a solvent compared to the pure solvent.
3. Apply the freezing point depression principle: since acetic acid is dissolved in water, it disrupts the formation of the solid ice lattice, causing vinegar to freeze at a temperature lower than pure water.
4. Recognize that the freezing point of pure water is 0°C, and the addition of acetic acid lowers this temperature, so vinegar freezes below 0°C under typical conditions.
5. Conclude that the correct description is that vinegar freezes at a lower temperature than pure water due to the presence of acetic acid, which causes freezing point depression.