What is the effect of increasing solute concentration on the freezing point of a solution?

Increasing the concentration of a solute in a solution lowers the freezing point of that solution. This phenomenon is known as freezing point depression. When a solute is added to a solvent, it disrupts the orderly structure of the solvent molecules, making it more difficult for them to solidify into a crystalline structure, which is necessary for freezing. As a result, a lower temperature is required to achieve the freezing point in the presence of solute.

This principle is commonly observed in various applications, such as in the use of salt to de-ice roads during winter. The salt lowers the freezing point of water, preventing the formation of ice at 0°C, which is the normal freezing point of pure water. Thus, the correct response reflects a fundamental concept in colligative properties, which describe how the properties of solutions change when solute is added, particularly focusing on freezing point and boiling point modifications.