Chemistry

Boiling Point Elevation Calculator

Enter molality, the van ‘t Hoff factor and the solvent to get the boiling point elevation.

Your numbers

1 for sugar, about 2 for NaCl, about 3 for CaCl2

Your results

ΔTb (°C)
ΔTb (°C)
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New boiling point (°C)
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Boiling Point Elevation Calculator by TheCalcTools

How the Boiling Point Elevation Calculator works

Dissolved particles change a solvent’s boiling point in proportion to their molality. The van ‘t Hoff factor i counts particles per formula unit: ionic salts split into ions.

Real solutions of salts often have a slightly smaller effective i than the ideal number of ions because ions pair up.

The formula

ΔTb = i × Kb × b

Worked example

Using the default values shown in the calculator:

SolventWater (K = 0.512 °C·kg/mol)
Your K value (°C·kg/mol)0.512
Molality (mol/kg)1
Van 't Hoff factor i2
Pure solvent boiling point (°C)100
  1. 1 mol/kg NaCl (i = 2) in water: ΔTb = 2 × 0.512 × 1 = 1.024 °C.
  2. New boiling point: 101.024 °C.

Result:

ΔTb (°C)1.024
New boiling point (°C)101.024

Frequently asked questions

Why do we salt roads and pasta water?

Salt lowers the freezing point of water, so ice melts at colder temperatures. In pasta water the boiling-point rise is tiny, a fraction of a degree.

Sources and further reading

More in Chemistry · All calculators

This calculator gives estimates for information only. Check important results independently before you rely on them. See our disclaimer.