Classify each of the following substances as a non-electrolyte, weak electrolyte, or strong electrolyte in water:
CuSO4
C12H22O11
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Classification of Substances:
- CuSO₄ (Copper(II) sulfate) – Strong Electrolyte
- C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ (Sucrose) – Non-Electrolyte
Explanation:
Electrolytes are substances that dissolve in water to produce ions, conducting electricity. They are categorized as strong electrolytes, weak electrolytes, or non-electrolytes based on their degree of ionization.
1. Copper(II) Sulfate (CuSO₄) – Strong Electrolyte
CuSO₄ is an ionic compound composed of Cu²⁺ (copper ion) and SO₄²⁻ (sulfate ion). When dissolved in water, it completely dissociates into these ions:
[
CuSO₄ (s) \rightarrow Cu^{2+} (aq) + SO_4^{2-} (aq)
]
Since it dissociates fully, CuSO₄ is classified as a strong electrolyte because the resulting solution contains a high concentration of free-moving ions, which effectively conduct electricity.
2. Sucrose (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁) – Non-Electrolyte
Sucrose (table sugar) is a covalent compound and does not break into ions when dissolved in water. Instead, it dissolves as intact molecules, meaning there are no free-moving charged particles to conduct electricity:
[
C_{12}H_{22}O_{11} (s) \rightarrow C_{12}H_{22}O_{11} (aq)
]
Since sucrose does not ionize, it is classified as a non-electrolyte, meaning it does not conduct electricity in solution.
Summary of Classification:
| Substance | Type | Electrolyte Classification |
|---|---|---|
| CuSO₄ | Ionic | Strong Electrolyte |
| C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ | Covalent | Non-Electrolyte |
I will now generate an image representing the dissociation of CuSO₄ and the non-dissociation of sucrose.
Here is an educational illustration showing the difference between a strong electrolyte (CuSO₄) and a non-electrolyte (sucrose) in water. Let me know if you need any modifications or additional explanations!
