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 c) C2H6O (ethanol), which is a nonelectrolyte. Here’s an explanation for each compound:
a) NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide):
NaOH is an electrolyte. Sodium hydroxide is an ionic compound that dissociates completely in water into sodium ions (Na⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻). These ions can move freely in solution, allowing the substance to conduct electricity. Hence, NaOH is considered a strong electrolyte.
b) HNO3 (Nitric Acid):
HNO3 is an electrolyte. Nitric acid is a strong acid that dissociates completely in water into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and nitrate ions (NO₃⁻). Like NaOH, it dissociates fully in solution and can conduct electricity, making it a strong electrolyte.
c) C2H6O (Ethanol):
C2H6O, or ethanol, is a nonelectrolyte. Ethanol is a molecular compound that does not dissociate into ions when dissolved in water. Although ethanol is highly soluble in water, it remains intact as molecules and does not form charged particles in solution. Since it does not produce free ions, it cannot conduct electricity and is classified as a nonelectrolyte.
d) KF (Potassium Fluoride):
KF is an electrolyte. Potassium fluoride is an ionic compound that dissociates completely in water into potassium ions (K⁺) and fluoride ions (F⁻). The presence of free ions in solution enables it to conduct electricity, making KF a strong electrolyte.
e) CH3COOH (Acetic Acid):
CH3COOH, or acetic acid, is a weak electrolyte. Acetic acid is a weak acid that partially dissociates in water into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and acetate ions (CH₃COO⁻). While it does produce some ions in solution, it does not dissociate completely, unlike strong acids like HNO3. Therefore, acetic acid is classified as a weak electrolyte.
Conclusion:
Among the options, ethanol (C2H6O) is the nonelectrolyte because it does not dissociate into ions in solution and therefore cannot conduct electricity. The other substances either dissociate completely or partially into ions, allowing them to conduct electricity and qualify as electrolytes.