Question

Explain the following:

In cold countries, ethylene glycol is added to water used in car radiators.

Answer 1

1. Ethylene glycol is added to water in car radiators in cold countries because it acts as an antifreeze.
2. It lowers the freezing point of water, preventing the radiator fluid from freezing below 0°C, which protects the engine from damage in cold weather.
3. This phenomenon is called freezing point depression, a colligative property that depends on the number of solute particles.