The depression in freezing point of water observed for the same amount of acetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and trifluoroacetic acid increases in the order given above. Explain briefly.

Explanation

The depression in freezing point of a solute in water depends upon the number of particles of ions furnished by it in solution of upon its degree of dissociation `(alpha)`. All the three organic acids ionise in aqueous solution. Howere, the relative order of acidic strengths is as given below.

This is linked with the electronicgativity of the halogen atoms present. Flurine (F) is more electronegative then `(CI)` Under the circumstances, trifluoroacetic acid give maximum ions in solution since it is sthe stongest acid. Consequntly the depression in freezing point `(DeltaT_(f))` is the miximum in this case and is the lest for acetic acid which is the weakest acid.