Which of the following statements best describes osmolarity?

• A. It is the tendency of a liquid to evaporate at room temperature.
• B. It is a measure of a liquid's resistance to flow.
• C. It is a measure of the total concentration of solute particles in a solution.
• D. It is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a solution by 1 degree Celsius.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of osmolarity. Osmolarity is related to the concentration of solute particles in a solution, not physical properties like evaporation, flow, or heat capacity.
2. Step 2: Recall that osmolarity measures the total number of dissolved particles (ions or molecules) per liter of solution, which affects properties like osmotic pressure.
3. Step 3: Compare the given options with the definition of osmolarity: evaporation tendency relates to volatility, resistance to flow relates to viscosity, and heat required to raise temperature relates to heat capacity.
4. Step 4: Identify that the correct description of osmolarity is 'a measure of the total concentration of solute particles in a solution,' as it directly corresponds to the number of solute particles affecting osmotic behavior.
5. Step 5: Conclude that osmolarity is a colligative property dependent on solute particle concentration, which influences how solutions interact across semipermeable membranes.