Question:medium

Read the following assertion and reason and choose the correct alternative.
Assertion: Elevation in boiling point for two isotonic solutions is same.
Reason: Boiling point depends upon the concentration of the solute.

Show Hint

Isotonic means equal osmotic pressure, hence equal concentration; all colligative properties (including \( \Delta T_b = K_b m \)) depend on concentration.
Updated On: Jul 10, 2026
  • Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of assertion
  • Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
  • Assertion is correct but reason is wrong
  • Assertion is wrong but reason is correct
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Two solutions are isotonic when they exert equal osmotic pressure. Osmotic pressure is a colligative property that is governed only by how many solute particles are present per unit volume, so equal osmotic pressure implies equal particle concentration.
Step 2: Boiling point elevation is another colligative property. All colligative properties (relative lowering of vapour pressure, boiling point elevation, freezing point depression, osmotic pressure) rise or fall together because they all track the same particle concentration.
Step 3: Therefore, if the particle concentration is fixed (as it is for isotonic solutions in the same solvent), the boiling point elevation must also be fixed and identical for both. The assertion holds.
Step 4: The reason gives the underlying cause: since boiling point (its elevation) is set by solute concentration, equal concentration forces equal elevation. Reason is true and is the genuine explanation.
Answer: Both true, reason explains assertion, so the correct choice is the first alternative.
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