What is the osmolarity of the following solutions? a. 0.35 M KBr b. 0.15 M glucose + 0.05 M K₂SO₄

Osmolarity is a measure of the total concentration of solute particles in a solution. It is expressed in osmoles per liter (osmol/L) and accounts for all particles that contribute to the solution's osmotic pressure. For ionic compounds, osmolarity is calculated by considering the number of ions produced when the compound dissociates in solution.

Ionic dissociation refers to the process by which an ionic compound separates into its constituent ions when dissolved in a solvent, typically water. For example, potassium bromide (KBr) dissociates into K⁺ and Br⁻ ions, while potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄) dissociates into 2 K⁺ and SO₄²⁻ ions. This dissociation is crucial for calculating osmolarity, as each ion contributes to the total particle count in the solution.

Electrolytes are substances that dissociate into ions in solution and can conduct electricity, while non-electrolytes do not dissociate and remain as whole molecules. For instance, glucose is a non-electrolyte and does not contribute additional particles to osmolarity, whereas KBr and K₂SO₄ are electrolytes that increase the total particle count due to their dissociation into multiple ions.