Which of the following is a nonelectrolyte? Please state why or why not for each. Thanks
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) because it is a nonelectrolyte. Below is an analysis of each substance:
Electrolytes vs. Nonelectrolytes
Electrolytes are substances that dissolve in water to produce ions, allowing the solution to conduct electricity. Nonelectrolytes do not produce ions in solution and do not conduct electricity.
Analysis of Each Substance:
(a) NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide) – Electrolyte
- Sodium hydroxide is a strong base and a strong electrolyte because it completely dissociates into sodium ions (Na⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in water.
- ( NaOH \rightarrow Na^+ + OH^- )
- Since it produces free-moving ions, NaOH conducts electricity well.
(b) HNO₃ (Nitric Acid) – Electrolyte
- Nitric acid is a strong acid and a strong electrolyte because it completely ionizes in water, producing hydrogen ions (H⁺) and nitrate ions (NO₃⁻).
- ( HNO_3 \rightarrow H^+ + NO_3^- )
- It conducts electricity efficiently due to full ionization.
(c) C₂H₆O (Ethanol) – Nonelectrolyte (Correct Answer)
- Ethanol is a covalent compound and does not ionize in water.
- Although it dissolves in water due to hydrogen bonding, it does not produce ions.
- Since no ions are present, it does not conduct electricity, making it a nonelectrolyte.
(d) KF (Potassium Fluoride) – Electrolyte
- KF is an ionic compound that dissociates completely in water into potassium ions (K⁺) and fluoride ions (F⁻).
- ( KF \rightarrow K^+ + F^- )
- Since it generates free ions, it is a strong electrolyte.
(e) CH₃COOH (Acetic Acid) – Weak Electrolyte
- Acetic acid is a weak acid, meaning it partially ionizes in water.
- ( CH_3COOH \rightleftharpoons H^+ + CH_3COO^- )
- Since only some molecules ionize, it conducts electricity weakly, making it a weak electrolyte.
Conclusion:
Only ethanol (C₂H₆O) is a nonelectrolyte because it does not produce ions in solution, making it incapable of conducting electricity.