The compound aluminum acetate is a strong electrolyte. Write the reaction when aluminum acetate is put into water:
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
When aluminum acetate (( \text{Al(C₂H₃O₂)₃} )) is dissolved in water, it dissociates into its constituent ions, behaving as a strong electrolyte. The dissociation reaction can be written as:
[
\text{Al(C₂H₃O₂)₃ (aq)} \rightarrow \text{Al}^{3+} (aq) + 3 \text{C₂H₃O₂}^- (aq)
]
Explanation:
Aluminum acetate is classified as a strong electrolyte because it dissociates completely in aqueous solutions. This complete dissociation into ions is what characterizes strong electrolytes. Here, the compound breaks down into two types of ions:
- Aluminum ions (( \text{Al}^{3+} )): These are the metal ions that come from the aluminum atom. They are highly charged, which means they can interact strongly with water molecules. The high charge density of the ( \text{Al}^{3+} ) ions leads to significant hydration (association with water molecules), resulting in the formation of hydrated aluminum ions, ( \text{Al}^{3+} \cdot x \text{H₂O} ).
- Acetate ions (( \text{C₂H₃O₂}^- )): These are the conjugate base ions that come from the acetate group, which is derived from acetic acid (the main component in vinegar). The acetate ions are relatively weak bases but still can interact with water molecules, leading to slight hydrolysis, where water may donate a proton to form acetic acid in small amounts, although this effect is not significant.
Since aluminum acetate dissociates completely in water, it ensures a high concentration of ions, which allows it to conduct electricity effectively, making it a strong electrolyte. This behavior is a key characteristic in various applications, including the formulation of chemical solutions used for industrial, medical, or laboratory purposes.
Let me generate an image to illustrate this dissociation process.
Here is a diagram illustrating the dissociation of aluminum acetate (( \text{Al(C₂H₃O₂)₃} )) in water. It shows how the compound breaks down into aluminum ions (( \text{Al}^{3+} )) and acetate ions (( \text{C₂H₃O₂}^- )), with water molecules surrounding the ions to highlight the hydration process. This is a key feature of strong electrolytes.