Label each substance as either electrolyte or non-electrolyte.
a) HNO3
b) C12H24
c) Ca(OH)2
d) BaO
e) C23H620H
The correct answer and explanation is :
Electrolyte vs. Non-Electrolyte Classification
- HNO₃ (Nitric acid) – Electrolyte
- C₁₂H₂₄ (Dodecane) – Non-Electrolyte
- Ca(OH)₂ (Calcium hydroxide) – Electrolyte
- BaO (Barium oxide) – Electrolyte
- C₂₃H₆₂OH (Long-chain alcohol) – Non-Electrolyte
Explanation
Substances are classified as electrolytes if they dissociate into ions when dissolved in water, enabling them to conduct electricity. Non-electrolytes, on the other hand, do not ionize significantly and thus do not conduct electricity.
- HNO₃ (Nitric Acid) – Electrolyte
Nitric acid is a strong acid, meaning it completely ionizes in water into H⁺ and NO₃⁻ ions. Strong acids are excellent electrolytes because they release a high concentration of free-moving charged particles. - C₁₂H₂₄ (Dodecane) – Non-Electrolyte
Dodecane is a hydrocarbon, specifically an alkane, which is non-polar and does not dissolve in water. Since it does not produce ions in solution, it is classified as a non-electrolyte. - Ca(OH)₂ (Calcium Hydroxide) – Electrolyte
Calcium hydroxide is a strong base, partially soluble in water, forming Ca²⁺ and OH⁻ ions. Even though its solubility is limited, the portion that dissolves does ionize completely, making it an electrolyte. - BaO (Barium Oxide) – Electrolyte
Barium oxide reacts with water to form Ba(OH)₂, a strong base that dissociates into Ba²⁺ and OH⁻ ions. Since it generates ions in aqueous solution, it functions as an electrolyte. - C₂₃H₆₂OH (Long-Chain Alcohol) – Non-Electrolyte
Alcohols generally do not ionize in water. While short-chain alcohols (like methanol) dissolve in water, long-chain alcohols are mostly nonpolar and do not significantly ionize, making them poor conductors and non-electrolytes.
Thus, electrolytes include HNO₃, Ca(OH)₂, and BaO, while C₁₂H₂₄ and C₂₃H₆₂OH are non-electrolytes.