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Assuming the Van Hoff factor is 2 for LiCl and 3 for MgCl2, which salt will give

ID: 843966 • Letter: A

Question

Assuming the Van Hoff factor is 2 for LiCl and 3 for MgCl2, which salt will give the lowest melting point on a weight basis: 1 ton of LiCl or 1 ton of MgCl2 ?

You want to add salt to a roadway to help melt snow.

Assuming the Van Hoff factor is 2 for LiCl and 3 for MgCl2, which salt will give the lowest melting point on a weight basis: 1 ton of LiCl or 1 ton of MgCl2 ?

they both have the exact same snow melting properties

LiCl

only NaCl will melt snow

MgCl2

they both have the exact same snow melting properties

LiCl

only NaCl will melt snow

MgCl2

Explanation / Answer

The melting point of MgCl2 is considerably higher, because the charges on the Mg2+ ions are larger than those on the Li+ ions.