Question

What is the osmolarity of `0.5*mol*L^-1` solution of magnesium sulfate?

Answer 1

The `"osmolarity"` of `0.5*mol*L^-1` `MgSO_4` is `1.0*mol*L^-1`....

Explanation:

`"Osmolarity"` is the concentration of a solution expressed as the total number of `"solute particles"` per litre.....

In aqueous solution, magnesium sulfate speciates to give two moles of ions.......i.e.

`MgSO_4stackrel(H_2O)rarrMg^(2+) + SO_4^(2-)`

Charge and mass are balanced as is absolutely required.

And since magnesium sulfate gives rise to TWO EQUIVS of soluble ions, the osmolarity is equal to TWICE the molarity of `Na_2SO_4`. What is the osmolarity of `0.5*mol*L^-1` `Al(NO_3)_3`.....?