Which of the following is a practical application of boiling point elevation?

• A. Using antifreeze in car radiators to prevent overheating
• B. Distilling water to remove impurities
• C. Using ice to cool drinks more quickly
• D. Adding salt to water to decrease its boiling point

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of boiling point elevation: it occurs when a non-volatile solute is added to a solvent, causing the boiling point of the solution to be higher than that of the pure solvent.
2. Recognize that boiling point elevation is a colligative property, which depends on the number of solute particles in the solvent, not their identity.
3. Analyze each option to see if it involves raising the boiling point of a liquid by adding a solute: for example, adding antifreeze (a solute) to water in car radiators raises the boiling point, preventing overheating.
4. Note that distilling water removes impurities and does not involve boiling point elevation; using ice to cool drinks involves heat transfer but not boiling point changes; adding salt to water actually raises the boiling point, not decreases it.
5. Conclude that the practical application of boiling point elevation is best exemplified by using antifreeze in car radiators to prevent overheating.