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:
The correct answer is chemical change.
Explanation:
An electrolyte is a substance that, when dissolved in water or melted, dissociates into positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions). This dissociation process is an example of a chemical change.
What is a Chemical Change?
A chemical change refers to a process in which a substance undergoes a transformation that alters its chemical composition. This often involves the breaking or forming of bonds between atoms or molecules. For an electrolyte, this means the compound, typically an ionic compound like sodium chloride (NaCl), dissociates into its respective ions (Na⁺ and Cl⁻) when it is dissolved in water. The ions themselves are different from the original compound, signifying a chemical change has occurred.
Why is it not a Physical Change?
A physical change refers to a transformation in which the substance changes its physical state or appearance, but its chemical composition remains the same. For example, the melting of ice into water or the tearing of paper are physical changes because no new substance is created. In the case of electrolytes, while dissolving may involve changes in the state of matter (e.g., solid salt dissolving in water), the key process is the breakdown of the ionic bonds within the electrolyte compound, resulting in the formation of distinct ions. This is a chemical change because it involves a transformation at the molecular level, not just a change in physical state.
Electrolytes and Chemical Reactions:
In a spontaneous change, no external energy is required for the process to occur. While the dissociation of some electrolytes in water is spontaneous, the critical factor is that it involves a chemical transformation rather than merely a physical process.
Therefore, the correct classification for an electrolyte yielding ions is a chemical change because it involves the breaking of bonds between atoms, leading to the formation of new chemical species (ions).