Which of the following pairs of solutions will be isotonic at the same temperature?
Which of the following pairs of solutions will be isotonic at the same temperature?
  1. 1M NaCl and 1M MgCl2
  2. 1.5M KCl and 2.5M Urea
  3. 1.5M AlCl3 and 2M Na2SO4
  4. 1M NaCl and 2M MgCl2

Solution: 1.5M AlCl3 and 2M Na2SO4

The osmotic pressure and molar concentration in isotonic solutions should be the same or equal.

For AlCl3, I = 4 as AlCl3 dissociates into Al+ and 3Cl ions

Therefore, the osmotic pressure of 1.5M AlCl3

= iMRT = 4 × 1.5 RT = 6RT

For Na2SO4, i = 3 as Na2SO4 dissociates into 2Na+ and SO42- ions

Therefore, the osmotic pressure of 2Na2SO4

= iMRT = 3 × 2RT = 6RT

They are isotonic because their osmotic pressures are equivalent.