thermodynamics - Does adding solutes to water alter its triple point?

Does adding solutes to water alter its triple point? If yes, how do we find the new temperature and pressure of this point?

Answer

Triple points are typically defined as points on the phase diagram of a pure substance where three phases coexist. Their existence requires that the phase rule be observed, which is $$f=C+2-P$$ where $$\begin{align}f &: \text{number of degrees of freedom} \\ C &: \text{number of components} \\ P &: \text{number of phases}\end{align}$$ The number of degrees of freedom is the number of intensive variables that can be altered independently while remaining in a given phase.

In general, when three phases coexist, $$f=C-1$$ If the system consists of a pure substance, $f=0$, as expected (the coexistence region corresponds to a point). If you have a mixture of $C$ components (labeled $i$), you will observe a different triple point for each choice of $C-1$ independent mole fractions $\chi_i$. But for each combination of mole fractions, coexistence of three phases will still occur at regions corresponding to single points.