Why does freezing point decrease when vapour pressure decreases in dilute solutions? I was studying colligative properties of dilute solutions, and one of the properties was freezing point depression. The confusion I had was that, if vapour pressure decreases, it should be easier to reach the freezing point (point where vapour pressure of solid and liquid are equal). So I thought the freezing point will increase, but freezing point actually decreases. Is there any logical explanation?
Consider graphs of the vapor pressure of the liquid and of the solid, both as a function of temperature. Intuitively, both graphs increase with temperature, and intersect at the freezing point. By lowering the vapor pressure of the liquid, we lower the corresponding vapor pressure curve and hence the temperature at the point of intersection.