An electrolyte will yield ions by undergoing a:
Select the correct answer below:
physical change
chemical change
spontaneous change
depends on the substance
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is:
Chemical change
Explanation:
Electrolytes are substances that dissociate into ions when dissolved in a solvent, usually water. This dissociation process involves breaking chemical bonds, which classifies it as a chemical change rather than a physical change.
Understanding Electrolytes and Ion Formation
Electrolytes can be acids, bases, or salts. When dissolved in water, they undergo ionization (if they are molecular compounds like acids) or dissociation (if they are ionic compounds like salts). These processes lead to the formation of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions.
For example:
- Sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolves in water by dissociating into ions:
[
NaCl \rightarrow Na^+ + Cl^-
] - Hydrochloric acid (HCl) undergoes ionization in water:
[
HCl \rightarrow H^+ + Cl^-
]
Both of these involve breaking or forming chemical bonds, which is a characteristic of a chemical change rather than a physical change.
Why Not a Physical Change?
A physical change does not alter the chemical identity of a substance. Examples include melting, boiling, or dissolving a non-electrolyte like sugar in water. However, in the case of an electrolyte, the chemical structure is altered as it forms ions, making it a chemical change.
Why Not Spontaneous or “Depends on the Substance”?
- Spontaneous change refers to whether a reaction happens without external energy, not whether it involves ion formation.
- Depends on the substance is incorrect because all electrolytes undergo a chemical change when forming ions.
Thus, the correct answer is chemical change because it involves breaking or forming chemical bonds to produce ions.