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 Eplanation is:
Correct Answer: Chemical change
Explanation:
An electrolyte is a substance that produces ions when dissolved in water or molten, allowing the solution to conduct electricity. The process by which an electrolyte yields ions is fundamentally a chemical change, not a physical one.
A chemical change involves the breaking and forming of chemical bonds, resulting in the formation of new substances with different properties from the original. When an electrolyte dissolves and dissociates into ions, it undergoes such a change.
Examples of Chemical Change in Electrolytes:
- Ionic compounds, such as sodium chloride (NaCl), dissociate in water: NaCl (s)→Na+(aq)+Cl−(aq)\text{NaCl (s)} \rightarrow \text{Na}^+ (aq) + \text{Cl}^- (aq) This process involves the separation of ions that were previously held together by ionic bonds in the solid form. Once in water, the ions are free to move, enabling the conduction of electric current.
- Strong acids, like hydrochloric acid (HCl), dissociate completely in water: HCl (aq)→H+(aq)+Cl−(aq)\text{HCl (aq)} \rightarrow \text{H}^+ (aq) + \text{Cl}^- (aq) This ionization is a chemical change because it results in the formation of new ionic species.
Why Not a Physical Change?
A physical change is one that alters the form or appearance of a substance but does not change its chemical identity—like melting or boiling. If an electrolyte merely dissolves without ionizing (as in the case of sugar), it would be a physical change, but it wouldn’t produce ions or conduct electricity.
Spontaneous Change?
Although some electrolytes may ionize spontaneously in water, the keyword here is “undergoing a ___.” The mechanism through which ions are produced is chemical, regardless of spontaneity.
Conclusion:
Therefore, chemical change is the most accurate and complete answer. It reflects the actual process of ion formation, which is essential to the definition and function of an electrolyte in solution.