An electrolyte will yield ions by undergoing a:
Select the correct answer below:
physical change
chemical change
spontaneous change
depends on the substance
The correct answer and explanation is :
Correct Answer: Chemical Change
Electrolytes yield ions by undergoing a chemical change. This is because when an electrolyte dissolves in water or undergoes electrolysis, it dissociates into its constituent ions, altering its chemical structure.
Explanation:
Electrolytes are substances that produce ions when dissolved in water or another solvent, allowing the solution to conduct electricity. This process is known as ionization or dissociation, both of which are chemical changes since new ionic species are formed.
- Types of Electrolytes & Their Behavior:
- Strong Electrolytes: Completely dissociate into ions. Examples: sodium chloride (NaCl → Na⁺ + Cl⁻) and hydrochloric acid (HCl → H⁺ + Cl⁻).
- Weak Electrolytes: Partially dissociate, forming an equilibrium between ions and molecules. Examples: acetic acid (CH₃COOH ⇌ CH₃COO⁻ + H⁺).
- Nonelectrolytes: Do not ionize and remain as intact molecules (e.g., sugar, ethanol).
- Why It’s a Chemical Change:
- Involves breaking and forming of chemical bonds.
- Produces new charged particles (ions) with different properties than the original compound.
- The reaction can be irreversible (as in strong electrolytes) or reversible (as in weak electrolytes).
Common Misconceptions:
- Not a Physical Change: A physical change, such as melting or boiling, does not produce new substances, while electrolyte dissociation does.
- Not Just Spontaneous: Some electrolytes require external energy (e.g., electrolysis) to ionize, proving that spontaneous change is not a universal explanation.
- Depends on the Substance? No. Even though different electrolytes behave differently, all ionization processes involve a chemical transformation.
Thus, the correct answer is chemical change since ion formation alters the substance’s chemical structure.