Identify HCl strong electrolyte, weak acid nonelectrolyte weak electrolyte, weak acid weak electrolyte, strong acid strong electrolyte, strong acid
Identify HCl.
strong electrolyte, weak acid
nonelectrolyte
weak electrolyte, weak acid
weak electrolyte, strong acid
strong electrolyte, strong acid
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct classification for HCl (hydrochloric acid) is:
Strong electrolyte, strong acid.
Explanation:
- Electrolytes and their strength: An electrolyte is a substance that, when dissolved in water, dissociates into ions and can conduct electricity. The strength of an electrolyte is determined by how completely it dissociates into ions. A strong electrolyte dissociates completely in solution, while a weak electrolyte only partially dissociates.
- Hydrochloric acid (HCl): HCl is a strong acid because it dissociates completely in aqueous solutions. When HCl dissolves in water, it breaks apart into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻) without remaining in its molecular form. This full dissociation is characteristic of strong acids. The dissociation of HCl can be represented by the equation:
[
\text{HCl} (aq) \rightarrow \text{H}^+ (aq) + \text{Cl}^- (aq)
]
Since HCl dissociates completely, it behaves as a strong electrolyte in solution. - Strength of the acid: A strong acid is one that ionizes completely in water, releasing all of its hydrogen ions. HCl is considered a strong acid because it does not remain as a molecule in solution; it ionizes fully to release H⁺ ions, which makes the solution highly acidic.
- Combination of the terms: Since HCl dissociates completely into ions and behaves as a strong acid, it is classified as a strong electrolyte (because it completely dissociates into ions) and a strong acid (because it fully ionizes in solution).
Thus, the correct classification for HCl is “strong electrolyte, strong acid.”