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In Class 12 Chemistry, the topic Abnormal Molecular Mass explains why the molar mass calculated from colligative properties may differ from the actual molecular mass. Students learn how solute particles associate, such as through dimerisation, or dissociate into ions in solution, changing the number of particles present. They use the van’t Hoff factor to relate these changes to relative lowering of vapour pressure, elevation of boiling point, depression of freezing point and osmotic pressure, and calculate the degree of association or dissociation in solutions.
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Association of solute molecules
Dissociation of solute molecules
Complete ionisation of the solute
Normal behaviour with neither association nor dissociation
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i = 2; dissociation
i = 0.5; association
i = 1; no change
i = 4; complete dissociation
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Dissociation of the solute
Association of the solute
Ionisation of the solvent
A sudden rise in temperature
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25%
50%
75%
100%
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Dimerisation of benzoic acid in benzene
Dissociation of sodium chloride in water
Dissociation of calcium chloride in water
Dissolution of glucose in water without dissociation or association
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25%
40%
50%
75%
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80 g mol⁻¹
100 g mol⁻¹
125 g mol⁻¹
150 g mol⁻¹
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40 g mol⁻¹
48 g mol⁻¹
60 g mol⁻¹
90 g mol⁻¹
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33.3%
50.0%
66.7%
80.0%
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50%
60%
75%
90%
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0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
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40 g mol−1, 50%
53.3 g mol−1, 50%
80 g mol−1, 25%
120 g mol−1, 50%
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90 g mol−1
120 g mol−1
150 g mol−1
180 g mol−1
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50 g mol⁻¹
75 g mol⁻¹
100 g mol⁻¹
150 g mol⁻¹
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25%
50%
75%
100%
Hard · Level 1View options
75 g mol⁻¹
83.3 g mol⁻¹
107.1 g mol⁻¹
150 g mol⁻¹
Hard · Level 1View options
150 g mol⁻¹
175 g mol⁻¹
200 g mol⁻¹
225 g mol⁻¹
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Normal behaviour
Dimer association
Complete dissociation
Trimer association
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i = 1, one particle
i = 2, two particles
i = 3, three particles
i = 4, four particles
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2:3
3:2
1:1
1:2
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i = 1.5, partial dissociation of AB
i = 2, complete dissociation of AB
i = 3, complete dissociation of AB₂
i = 4, complete dissociation of AB₃
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50 g mol⁻¹
80 g mol⁻¹
100 g mol⁻¹
125 g mol⁻¹
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25%
33.3%
50%
66.7%
Hard · Level 1View options
25%
40%
50%
75%
Hard · Level 1View options
20%
25%
50%
75%
Question 1HardLevel 1
In which of the following situations is the observed molar mass of a solute greater than its true molar mass?
Correct answer: A
Association decreases the number of independent solute particles, so the van’t Hoff factor becomes less than one. Since the molar mass calculated from a colligative property is M_observed = M_true/i, a value of i < 1 makes the observed molar mass greater than the true molar mass. Dissociation and ionisation produce the opposite effect, giving i > 1.
If the observed molar mass of a solute is twice its normal molar mass, what is the van’t Hoff factor and which process is indicated?
Correct answer: B
For abnormal molar mass, the van’t Hoff factor is related to the normal and observed molar masses by i = normal molar mass / observed molar mass. If the observed molar mass is twice the normal value, i = M/(2M) = 0.5. A value smaller than one means that solute particles have combined, such as by dimerisation or another association process, reducing the number of particles in solution.
If the observed molar mass of a solute is greater than its normal molar mass, what is the most likely reason?
Correct answer: B
For colligative-property measurements, the observed molar mass is related to the true molar mass by M_observed = M_true/i. When solute particles associate, two or more particles combine into one species, so the van’t Hoff factor becomes less than 1. Dividing by a number below 1 makes the observed molar mass larger than the normal value. Dissociation has the opposite effect because it gives i greater than 1.
A substance has a normal molar mass of 120 g mol⁻¹, but freezing-point depression gives an observed molar mass of 60 g mol⁻¹. If it dissociates into two ions, what is the degree of dissociation?
Correct answer: D
For abnormal molar mass, the van’t Hoff factor is i = normal molar mass ÷ observed molar mass = 120 ÷ 60 = 2. For dissociation of one particle into two ions, i = 1 + α, where α is the fraction dissociated. Thus, 2 = 1 + α, so α = 1, or 100%. Therefore, option D is correct.
While determining molar mass by the depression-in-freezing-point method, in which situation will the observed molar mass of a solute be greater than its actual molar mass?
Correct answer: A
Benzoic acid associates to form dimers in benzene. Association decreases the number of solute particles, so the van’t Hoff factor becomes less than one. Since ΔTf = iKf m, the observed freezing-point depression is smaller than expected. When the ordinary formula is used, this small depression gives an observed molar mass greater than the actual value. Thus, option A is correct.
The observed molar mass of an AB₃ solute is 4/7 of its true molar mass. What is the degree of dissociation of the solute?
Correct answer: A
For abnormal molar mass, the van’t Hoff factor is i = true molar mass/observed molar mass. Since the observed value is 4/7 of the true value, i = 7/4 = 1.75. On dissociation, AB₃ produces four particles, so i = 1 + (4 − 1)α = 1 + 3α. Therefore, 1.75 = 1 + 3α, giving α = 0.25 or 25%. Hence, option A is correct.
A substance undergoes 40% dimer association. If its normal molar mass is 100 g mol⁻¹, what will be the approximate observed molar mass?
Correct answer: C
If 40% of the molecules dimerise, 60% remain monomeric. The effective particle factor is i = (0.60) + (0.40/2) = 0.80, because each dimer represents two original molecules but only one solution particle. The observed molar mass is Mobs = Mnormal/i = 100/0.80 = 125 g mol⁻¹. Thus option C is correct.
A salt of the type AB₂ is 75% dissociated. If its normal molar mass is 120 g mol⁻¹, what will be its observed molar mass?
Correct answer: B
On dissociation, one formula unit of AB₂ forms three ions: A + 2B. For a dissociation degree α = 0.75, the van’t Hoff factor is i = 1 + α(n − 1), where n = 3. Therefore, i = 1 + 0.75(3 − 1) = 2.5. The observed molar mass is normal molar mass divided by i: 120 ÷ 2.5 = 48 g mol⁻¹. Thus, option B is correct.
In a solution, the observed molar mass of a solute is 72 g mol⁻¹ and its normal molar mass is 120 g mol⁻¹. For an AB-type solute, what is the degree of dissociation?
Correct answer: C
First calculate the van’t Hoff factor: i = normal molar mass ÷ observed molar mass = 120 ÷ 72 = 1.6667. An AB solute dissociates into two particles, so for degree of dissociation α, i = 1 + α(2 − 1) = 1 + α. Therefore, α = 1.6667 − 1 = 0.6667, or approximately 66.7%. Hence, option C is correct.
The normal molar mass of an organic acid is 60 g mol⁻¹. In benzene, its observed molar mass is 96 g mol⁻¹. If association occurs only through dimerisation, what is the degree of association?
Correct answer: C
The van’t Hoff factor is i = normal molar mass ÷ observed molar mass = 60 ÷ 96 = 0.625. For dimerisation, two solute molecules combine to form one dimer, so i = 1 − α/2, where α is the fraction associated. Substituting gives 0.625 = 1 − α/2; hence α/2 = 0.375 and α = 0.75, or 75%. Therefore, option C is correct.
When 4.0 g of a substance is dissolved in 200 g of water, ΔTf = 0.372 K. If its normal molar mass is 100 g mol−1 and Kf = 1.86 K kg mol−1, what is the van’t Hoff factor i in the solution?
Correct answer: B
The solute’s normal number of moles is n = 4.0/100 = 0.04 mol. Since the solvent mass is 200 g = 0.200 kg, the normal molality is m = 0.04/0.200 = 0.20 mol kg−1. The expected depression without abnormality is Kf m = 1.86 × 0.20 = 0.372 K, exactly equal to the observed value. Hence i = observed depression/normal depression = 1.0.
For an AB-type electrolyte, the van’t Hoff factor is i = 1.5. If its normal molar mass is 80 g mol−1, what are the observed molar mass and degree of dissociation, respectively?
Correct answer: B
The relation between normal and observed molar mass is i = Mnormal/Mobserved. Hence Mobserved = 80/1.5 = 53.33 g mol−1, approximately 53.3 g mol−1. For an AB electrolyte dissociating as AB → A+ + B−, one formula unit produces two particles, so i = 1 + α. Therefore α = i − 1 = 0.5, or 50%.
If 60% of the molecules of a substance form trimers and its normal molar mass is 90 g mol−1, what will be the observed molar mass?
Correct answer: C
Assume one mole of original molecules. Forty percent remain as monomers, contributing 0.40 effective particles, while 60% associate into trimers and contribute 0.60/3 = 0.20 particles. Thus the effective particle factor is i = 0.40 + 0.20 = 0.60. Association makes the observed molar mass larger, and Mobserved = Mnormal/i = 90/0.60 = 150 g mol−1.
A 0.5 g solute dissolved in 100 g water gives ΔT_f = 0.093 K. If K_f = 1.86 K kg mol⁻¹ and the solute undergoes 50% dimer association, what is its normal molar mass?
Correct answer: B
Using the freezing-point equation, the molar mass calculated without correcting for association is M_observed = K_f × w × 1000/(ΔT_f × W) = 1.86 × 0.5 × 1000/(0.093 × 100) = 100 g mol⁻¹. For 50% dimerisation, the van’t Hoff factor is i = 1 − α/2 = 1 − 0.50/2 = 0.75. Since M_observed = M_normal/i, M_normal = iM_observed = 0.75 × 100 = 75 g mol⁻¹. Therefore, option B is correct.
A 1.0 g sample of an AB-type salt dissolved in 100 g water gives ΔT_f = 0.372 K. If K_f = 1.86 K kg mol⁻¹ and the normal molar mass is 100 g mol⁻¹, what is the degree of dissociation?
Correct answer: D
If the AB salt did not dissociate, its molality would be (1.0/100)/0.100 = 0.10 mol kg⁻¹. The corresponding freezing-point depression would be K_fm = 1.86 × 0.10 = 0.186 K. The observed value is 0.372 K, exactly twice this value, so i = 0.372/0.186 = 2. For AB → A⁺ + B⁻, i = 1 + α. Therefore α = 2 − 1 = 1, or 100%. Option D is correct.
A salt of type A₂B is 40% dissociated. Its normal molar mass is 150 g mol⁻¹. What will be its observed molar mass?
Correct answer: B
One formula unit of A₂B produces three ions on complete dissociation: 2A⁺ and B²⁻. For a compound giving ν = 3 particles, the van’t Hoff factor is i = 1 + α(ν − 1). With α = 0.40, i = 1 + 0.40(3 − 1) = 1.80. The observed molar mass is related to the normal molar mass by M_observed = M_normal/i, so M_observed = 150/1.80 = 83.3 g mol⁻¹. Option B is correct.
The observed molar mass of a substance is 200 g mol⁻¹. If 25% of its molecules form dimers, what is the normal molar mass?
Correct answer: B
For dimer association, two original molecules combine to form one particle. If the degree of association is α = 0.25, the number of particles becomes 1 − α/2 of the original number. Thus the van’t Hoff factor is i = 1 − 0.25/2 = 0.875. Since the observed molar mass is M_observed = M_normal/i, the normal value is M_normal = iM_observed = 0.875 × 200 = 175 g mol⁻¹. Therefore, option B is correct.
When 0.8 g of a substance is dissolved in 200 g of water, the depression in freezing point is 0.186 K. If the actual molar mass is 40 g mol⁻¹ and Kf = 1.86 K kg mol⁻¹, what is the behaviour of the solute?
Correct answer: A
The number of moles of solute is 0.8/40 = 0.02 mol, while the solvent mass is 0.200 kg. Therefore, the molality is 0.02/0.200 = 0.10 mol kg⁻¹. For a normally behaving solute, ΔTf = Kf m = 1.86 × 0.10 = 0.186 K, exactly equal to the observed depression. Hence the van’t Hoff factor is i = 1, showing neither association nor dissociation; the solute exhibits normal behaviour.
A 0.05 M solution has an osmotic pressure of 2.46 atm at 300 K. Taking R = 0.082 L atm K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, what are the van’t Hoff factor and the effective number of solute particles?
Correct answer: B
For osmotic pressure, π = iCRT. Substituting the data gives i = 2.46/(0.05 × 0.082 × 300). The denominator is 1.23 atm, so i = 2. A van’t Hoff factor of two means that the solution produces twice as many effective particles as the undissociated solute formula units. Thus one formula unit behaves as two particles, as in complete dissociation of a 1:1 electrolyte such as AB into A⁺ and B⁻.
A solution contains 2.0 g solute in 100 g solvent. If the observed molar mass is 80 g mol⁻¹ and the normal molar mass is 120 g mol⁻¹, what is the ratio of normal molality to effective molality?
Correct answer: A
For abnormal molar mass, the van’t Hoff factor is related to molar masses by i = Mnormal/Mobserved = 120/80 = 1.5. Effective molality is i times the normal or analytical molality. Therefore, normal molality : effective molality = m : 1.5m = 1:1.5 = 2:3. The supplied masses are not needed because the requested ratio depends only on the two molar masses.
A 0.2 M electrolyte has an osmotic pressure of 7.38 atm at 300 K. If R = 0.082 L atm K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, what is i, and what type of dissociation does it indicate?
Correct answer: A
Using π = iCRT, i = 7.38/(0.2 × 0.082 × 300). The denominator is 4.92 atm, so i = 1.5. For an AB electrolyte, complete dissociation would produce two particles and therefore i = 2 under ideal conditions. Since the measured value lies between 1 and 2, the electrolyte undergoes partial, not complete, dissociation. Hence option A is correct.
A salt of type AB₃ undergoes 50% dissociation. If its normal molar mass is 200 g mol⁻¹, what will be its observed molar mass?
Correct answer: B
One formula unit of AB₃ produces four ions on complete dissociation: A³⁺ and three B⁻ ions. For degree of dissociation α = 0.5, the van’t Hoff factor is i = 1 + α(ν − 1), where ν = 4. Thus i = 1 + 0.5(3) = 2.5. Since Mobserved = Mnormal/i, the observed molar mass is 200/2.5 = 80 g mol⁻¹. Therefore, option B is correct.
If the observed molar mass of an AB₃ salt is half of its normal molar mass, what is the degree of dissociation?
Correct answer: B
The relation between normal and observed molar masses is Mobserved = Mnormal/i. If the observed molar mass is half the normal value, then i = 2. For AB₃, complete dissociation gives four particles, so i = 1 + α(4 − 1) = 1 + 3α. Substituting i = 2 gives 2 = 1 + 3α, hence α = 1/3 = 0.333. Therefore, the degree of dissociation is 33.3%.
A solute forms dimers. Its true molar mass is 90 g mol−1 and its observed molar mass is 120 g mol−1. What is the degree of association?
Correct answer: C
The van’t Hoff factor for an association process is i = Mtrue/Mobserved, because association reduces the number of solute particles. Therefore i = 90/120 = 0.75. For dimerisation, two original molecules combine to form one dimer, and the relation is i = 1 − α/2, where α is the fraction associated. Substitution gives 0.75 = 1 − α/2, so α/2 = 0.25 and α = 0.50. The degree of association is therefore 50%.
The observed molar mass of an AB3-type solute is 4/7 of the true value. What is the degree of dissociation?
Correct answer: B
The van’t Hoff factor is i = Mtrue/Mobserved. Since the observed molar mass is (4/7)Mtrue, i = Mtrue/[(4/7)Mtrue] = 7/4 = 1.75. An AB3 solute gives four particles on complete dissociation: AB3 → A + 3B. Therefore i = 1 + 3α. Substituting 1.75 = 1 + 3α gives α = 0.75/3 = 0.25. Expressed as a percentage, the degree of dissociation is 25%.
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