Custom Search

Back to Acid Base Links

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.

Solubility Guidelines (ions that dissolve)

Ionization-an atom or molecules that acquires 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 soluble salts. Some other ionic solids are CaCl₂, NH₄Cl, KBr, CuSO₄, NaCH₃COO (sodium acetate), CaCO₃, NaHCO₃ (baking soda).

Strong Acids    HA(aq) → H⁺(aq) + A⁻(aq)

Back to Acid Base Links

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<---

Past Regents Questions on Electrolytes

Jan 2011-26 Which compound is an electrolyte?
(1) butene      (3) dimethyl ether
(2) propane   (4) methanoic acid

Jun 2010-48 Which laboratory test result can be used to determine if KCl_(s) is an electrolyte?
(1) pH of KCl_(aq)
(2) pH of KCl_(s)
(3) electrical conductivity of KCl_(aq)
(4) electrical conductivity of KCl_(s)

Aug 2009-27 Which substance is an electrolyte?
(1) CCl₄    (3) HCl
(2) C₂H₆   (4) H₂O

Jan 2007-13 Which substance, when dissolved in water, forms a solution that conducts an electric current?
(1) C₂H₅OH     (3) C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁
(2) C₆H₁₂O₆     (4) CH₃COOH

June 2006-25 Which substance is an electrolyte?
(1) CH₃OH     (3) H₂O
(2) C₆H₁₂O₆   (4) KOH

Jan 2006-38 A solid substance was tested in the laboratory.
The test results are listed below.
• dissolves in water
• is an electrolyte
• melts at a high temperature
Based on these results, the solid substance could be
(1) Cu               (3) C
(2) CuBr₂          (4) C₆H₁₂O₆

June 2005-27 Which formula represents an electrolyte?
(1) CH₃OCH₃     (3) CH₃COOH
(2) CH₃OH         (4) C₂H₅CHO

Jan 2005-25 The compound HNO₃ can be described as an
(1) Arrhenius acid and an electrolyte
(2) Arrhenius acid and a nonelectrolyte
(3) Arrhenius base and an electrolyte
(4) Arrhenius base and a nonelectrolyte

Jan 2004-27 Which compound is an electrolyte?
(1) C₆H₁₂O₆    (3) CaCl₂
(2) CH₃OH      (4) CCl₄

June 2003-29 Which 0.1 M solution contains an electrolyte?

(1) C₆H₁₂O₆ (aq)       (3) CH₃ OH(aq)
(2) CH₃ COOH(aq)    (4) CH₃ OCH₃ (aq)

Aug 2003-9. Based on Reference Table F, which of these salts is the best electrolyte?

A. sodium nitrate
B. magnesium carbonate
C. silver chloride
D. barium sulfate

June 2002-23 A substance that conducts an electrical current when dissolved in water is
called

(1) a catalyst          (3) a nonelectrolyte
(2) a metalloid        (4) an electrolyte

 

Chemical Demonstration Videos