Electrolytes

 

 

Non-electrolyte- a compound that will dissolve in water to form a solution that does NOT conduct electricity due to ions not being produced. Examples- Sugar C12H22O11 and alcohol CH3OH.

Electrolyte- a compound that will dissolve in water to form a solution that will conduct electricity due to the presence of free ions.

Ionization-an atom or molecules that aquires a charge by either gaining or losing one or more electrons

Dissociation-When an ionic compound breaks up into its ions

Strong Electrolytes-Completely ionizes (or dissociates) when dissolved in water. Classes of strong electrolytes include strong acids, strong bases and souble salts. Some other ionic solids are CaCl2, NH4Cl, KBr, CuSO4, NaCH3COO (sodium acetate), CaCO3, NaHCO3 (baking soda).

HA(aq) → H+(aq) + A(aq)

 

Weak Electrolytes-an electrolyte that gives a low percentage yield of ions when dissolved in water. For example, ammonia, NH4OH, carbonic acid, H2CO3, acetic acid, CH3COOH, and most organic acids and bases are weak electrolytes.

 

Strength of Electrolytes and Equilibrium Constants- Generally Speaking- Strong Electrolytes have very large K values. Weak electrolytes will have very small K values.

 

Test Yourself

--->CONDUCTIVITY VIRTUAL LAB<---

Regents Questions-Highlight to reveal answers

Which of the following is a salt?
[A] HOH
[B] NH4NO3
[C] HCl
[D] H2CO3

 

ANSWER--> Choice B, contains 2 poly atomic Ions. A is water. C & D are Acids
A substance that conducts an electrical current when dissolved in water is called
[A] an acid
[B] an electrolyte
[C] an ionic compound
[D] a nonelectrolyte

 

ANSWER--> Choice B, definition of an electrolyte
Which of the following can conduct an electric current?
[A] Mg(OH)2(s)
[B] H2O(s)
[C] NaOH(aq)
[D] NH4Cl(s)

 

ANSWER-->Choice C, it is a Base (ionic) in solution and electricity requires "MOVING CHARGE"
Which electrolyte is best at conducting electricity when dissolved in an aqueous solution?
[A] KCl(s)
[B] Na2SO4(s)
[C] CaCl2(s)
[D] H3PO4(s)
ANSWER-->Choice D, Assuming complete dissociation/ionization, D forms 4 moles of ions, B & C form 3 moles A forms 2 moles.  BAD REGENTS QUESTION-need K values to correctly answer.
NaOH(s) can conduct an electric current because it is an Arrhenius base.
True
False
ANSWER-->False, it is a solid. No moving Charge.
A student dissolved NaCl(s) in water, and tested with a battery, wire, and a light blub to see if it conducted an electric current. The solution conducted an electric current. This is because NaCl(s) is
[A] a salt and an electrolyte
[B] a salt and a nonelectrolyte
[C] a Arrhenius acid and an electrolyte
[D] a Arrhenius base and an electrolyte
ANSWER-->Choice A  Salts form cations (positive ions) other than H+ and anions (negative ions) other than OH- in aqueous solutions. Therefore it is a salt. It is an electrolyte because salts, Arrhenius acids and bases are electrolytes.

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