Of the species below, only __ is not an electrolyte.
a. hcl
b. rb2so4
c. ar
d. koh
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is c. Ar (argon).
Explanation:
An electrolyte is a substance that, when dissolved in water, dissociates into ions and can conduct electricity. There are two main types of electrolytes: strong electrolytes and weak electrolytes. Strong electrolytes dissociate completely into ions in solution, while weak electrolytes dissociate partially.
Let’s break down each of the options:
- HCl (Hydrochloric acid):
- HCl is a strong acid and a strong electrolyte. When dissolved in water, it dissociates completely into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻). The dissociation of HCl in water produces free ions, which are capable of conducting electricity.
- Rb₂SO₄ (Rubidium sulfate):
- Rb₂SO₄ is a salt composed of rubidium ions (Rb⁺) and sulfate ions (SO₄²⁻). In water, it dissociates completely into these ions, making it a strong electrolyte. It behaves similarly to other soluble salts that dissociate into ions in solution.
- Ar (Argon):
- Argon (Ar) is a noble gas and does not dissociate into ions when placed in water. Unlike ionic compounds, argon does not interact with water to form charged particles. Because it does not form ions, it cannot conduct electricity in solution. Therefore, argon is not an electrolyte.
- KOH (Potassium hydroxide):
- KOH is a strong base and a strong electrolyte. When dissolved in water, KOH dissociates completely into potassium ions (K⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻). These ions allow the solution to conduct electricity, making KOH a strong electrolyte.
Conclusion:
Out of the four substances listed, argon (Ar) is the only one that is not an electrolyte, because it does not dissociate into ions in solution and cannot conduct electricity.