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Step 1: Understand the concept of the van't Hoff factor
The van't Hoff factor, i, is a measure of the effect of a solute on the colligative properties (properties that depend on the number of particles, not their identity) of a solution. It is defined as the ratio of the actual number of particles in solution to the number of formula units dissolved.
Step 2: Determine the type of solute
The van't Hoff factor depends on the nature of the solute. For nonelectrolytes (molecules that do not dissociate in solution), i = 1 because one formula unit of the solute produces one particle in solution. For strong electrolytes (ions that completely dissociate in solution), i is greater than 1 because one formula unit of the solute produces multiple ions in solution. For weak electrolytes (ions that partially dissociate in solution), i is between 1 and the number of ions produced when the solute fully dissociates.
Final Answer
The van't Hoff factor is a measure of the effect of a solute on the colligative properties of a solution and is calculated based on the number of particles produced by one formula unit of the solute in solution. It is equal to 1 for nonelectrolytes, equal to the number of ions produced for strong electrolytes, and between 1 and the number of ions produced for weak electrolytes.
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