What are colligative properties?

Answer: Colligative properties are properties of a solution that depend only on the number of solute particles, not on the identity of the solute particles. The four main types are: 1. Vapor pressure lowering: The decrease in vapor pressure of a solution when a non-volatile solute is added to a solvent. 2. Boiling point elevation: The increase in boiling point of a solution compared to the boiling point of the pure solvent due to the presence of solute particles. 3. Freezing point depression: The decrease in freezing point of a solution compared to the freezing point of the pure solvent as solute particles disrupt the formation of a solid structure. 4. Osmotic pressure: The pressure required to prevent the flow of solvent through a semi-permeable membrane, which depends on the number of solute particles in the solution.