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
An electrolyte is a substance that dissolves in water (or another solvent) to produce ions, allowing the solution to conduct electricity. The process by which an electrolyte yields ions is known as dissociation (for ionic compounds) or ionization (for covalent compounds like acids). This process involves breaking or forming chemical bonds, which makes it a chemical change rather than a mere physical change.
Why is it a Chemical Change?
- New Substances Are Formed:
- When an ionic compound like sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolves in water, it dissociates into Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. This is a change at the molecular level that results in new chemical species (ions) rather than just a phase change (like melting or boiling).
- Similarly, acids like hydrochloric acid (HCl) ionize in water to form H⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. This is not just a physical process but a chemical reaction where covalent bonds are broken.
- Irreversible in Some Cases:
- Unlike physical changes (such as ice melting), ionization in electrolytes can sometimes be irreversible. Strong acids and bases completely ionize in water, and their original molecular forms are no longer present.
- Changes in Chemical Properties:
- After ionization, the solution has different chemical properties, such as the ability to conduct electricity, change pH levels, and participate in further chemical reactions.
Why Not a Physical Change?
- Physical changes involve alterations in state (solid, liquid, gas) without altering chemical composition. Since ionization changes the substance at the atomic level, it is not purely a physical process.
Thus, since ionization involves breaking and forming chemical bonds, it is classified as a chemical change.