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Solutions & Colligative Properties

Cryoscopic Constant

The freezing point depression produced by a one-molal solution of a non-electrolyte in a given solvent.

Formula / equation K_f = RT_f²M / ΔH_fus
Unit K·kg/mol

In depth

Like its boiling-point counterpart, K_f depends only on the solvent and is largest for solvents with a low enthalpy of fusion. Camphor's exceptionally large value made Rast's method a standard microtechnique for organic molar mass determination.

Examples in the real world

Water has K_f = 1.86 K·kg/mol, benzene 5.12, and camphor an extraordinary 40 K·kg/mol.