Which of the following is a nonelectrolyte? Please state why or why not for each.
a) NaOH
b) HNO3
c) C2H6O (ethanol)
d) KF
e) CH3COOH (acetic acid)
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is C2H6O (ethanol). Here’s why:
Explanation of each compound:
- NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide):
- Electrolyte: NaOH is a strong base and dissociates completely in water into sodium ions (Na⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻).
- Why it’s an electrolyte: Since NaOH dissociates completely into ions, it can conduct electricity in solution. This makes it a strong electrolyte.
- HNO3 (Nitric Acid):
- Electrolyte: HNO3 is a strong acid and also dissociates completely in water into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and nitrate ions (NO₃⁻).
- Why it’s an electrolyte: Like NaOH, HNO3 dissociates completely in solution, producing ions that allow the solution to conduct electricity. Hence, it’s a strong electrolyte.
- C2H6O (Ethanol):
- Nonelectrolyte: Ethanol (C2H6O) is an organic compound that does not dissociate into ions when dissolved in water.
- Why it’s a nonelectrolyte: Ethanol is a molecular compound, not ionic, and thus does not break into charged particles in solution. It exists as neutral molecules, meaning it does not conduct electricity. Therefore, ethanol is a nonelectrolyte.
- KF (Potassium Fluoride):
- Electrolyte: KF is an ionic compound that dissociates completely in water into potassium ions (K⁺) and fluoride ions (F⁻).
- Why it’s an electrolyte: Since KF dissociates into ions in solution, it can conduct electricity, making it a strong electrolyte.
- CH3COOH (Acetic Acid):
- Electrolyte (weak electrolyte): Acetic acid is a weak acid, and although it dissociates partially in water, it doesn’t dissociate completely.
- Why it’s an electrolyte (weak): Acetic acid forms ions in solution (H⁺ and acetate ions, CH₃COO⁻), but since it only partially dissociates, it is a weak electrolyte. While it conducts electricity, it does so less efficiently compared to strong electrolytes like NaOH or HNO3.
Conclusion:
Ethanol (C2H6O) is the only nonelectrolyte in the list because it does not dissociate into ions in solution and therefore cannot conduct electricity. The other compounds dissociate into ions, making them electrolytes.