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:
To determine which of the following substances is a nonelectrolyte, we need to understand how each behaves in water. An electrolyte is a substance that dissociates into ions in aqueous solution and conducts electricity. A nonelectrolyte does not produce ions in solution and therefore does not conduct electricity.
Correct Answer: c) C₂H₆O (ethanol)
Ethanol is a nonelectrolyte.
Explanation for Each Option (300+ words):
a) NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide)
NaOH is a strong base and a strong electrolyte. When dissolved in water, it completely dissociates into Na⁺ and OH⁻ ions:
NaOH (s) → Na⁺ (aq) + OH⁻ (aq)
These ions allow the solution to conduct electricity very well. Therefore, NaOH is an electrolyte, not a nonelectrolyte.
b) HNO₃ (Nitric Acid)
HNO₃ is a strong acid and also a strong electrolyte. It fully ionizes in water to produce H⁺ and NO₃⁻:
HNO₃ (aq) → H⁺ (aq) + NO₃⁻ (aq)
Because it produces ions in solution, it conducts electricity effectively. Thus, HNO₃ is not a nonelectrolyte.
c) C₂H₆O (Ethanol)
Ethanol is a neutral organic molecule. While it dissolves in water due to hydrogen bonding, it does not dissociate into ions:
C₂H₆O (aq) → C₂H₆O (aq)
No ions = no conductivity. Therefore, ethanol is a nonelectrolyte, because it does not form ions in water and does not conduct electricity. This is the correct answer.
d) KF (Potassium Fluoride)
KF is a salt, composed of a metal (K⁺) and a nonmetal (F⁻). It is a strong electrolyte. In water, it completely dissociates into its ions:
KF (s) → K⁺ (aq) + F⁻ (aq)
These free ions allow the solution to conduct electricity. Hence, KF is not a nonelectrolyte.
e) CH₃COOH (Acetic Acid)
Acetic acid is a weak acid and a weak electrolyte. In water, it partially ionizes into H⁺ and CH₃COO⁻:
CH₃COOH ⇌ H⁺ + CH₃COO⁻
Though it only partially dissociates, it still produces some ions, allowing the solution to conduct electricity weakly. Therefore, it is a weak electrolyte, not a nonelectrolyte.
✅ Final Answer: c) C₂H₆O (ethanol)
Because it does not ionize in water and does not conduct electricity, it is a nonelectrolyte.