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) because it is a nonelectrolyte. Below is an explanation for each substance:
a) NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide) – Strong Electrolyte
Sodium hydroxide is an ionic compound and a strong base. When dissolved in water, it dissociates completely into Na⁺ and OH⁻ ions, allowing it to conduct electricity efficiently. Therefore, NaOH is a strong electrolyte and not a nonelectrolyte.
b) HNO₃ (Nitric Acid) – Strong Electrolyte
Nitric acid is a strong acid, meaning it completely ionizes in water into H⁺ and NO₃⁻ ions. Since it fully dissociates, it conducts electricity well and is a strong electrolyte, not a nonelectrolyte.
c) C₂H₆O (Ethanol) – Nonelectrolyte
Ethanol is a covalent compound that does not ionize in water. Although it dissolves in water due to its ability to form hydrogen bonds, it does not produce ions. Since electrical conductivity in solutions depends on the presence of free-moving ions, ethanol is a nonelectrolyte because it does not contribute ions to the solution.
d) KF (Potassium Fluoride) – Strong Electrolyte
Potassium fluoride is an ionic compound that dissolves in water and completely dissociates into K⁺ and F⁻ ions. Because it provides ions in solution, it conducts electricity and is a strong electrolyte.
e) CH₃COOH (Acetic Acid) – Weak Electrolyte
Acetic acid is a weak acid, meaning it partially ionizes in water. It dissociates into H⁺ and CH₃COO⁻ ions, but only to a limited extent. Because some molecules remain un-ionized, it is a weak electrolyte, not a nonelectrolyte.
Conclusion
Out of the given substances, ethanol (C₂H₆O) is the only nonelectrolyte because it does not produce ions in solution, meaning it does not conduct electricity.