Ions are electrically charged particles that are formed when certain compounds are dissolved in water. These solutions will conduct electricity. The Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius coined the term ion (which means wanderer) to explain why solutions of electrolytes will conduct an electric current. When an electrolyte forms into a solution, it dissolves or dissociates into ions, a process called ionization. If a substance does not ionize, it will not conduct an electric current. Electrolytes include most acids, bases, and salts. Some conductors include hydrogen and sodium chloride, copper sulfate, and potassium nitrate. Substances that are not electrolytes include distilled water, sugar water, and most organic compounds. Which of the following is a non-electrolyte?

Question

Ions are electrically charged particles that are formed when certain compounds are dissolved in water. These solutions will conduct electricity. The Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius coined the term ion (which means wanderer) to explain why solutions of electrolytes will conduct an electric current. When an electrolyte forms into a solution, it dissolves or dissociates into ions, a process called ionization. If a substance does not ionize, it will not conduct an electric current. Electrolytes include most acids, bases, and salts. Some conductors include hydrogen and sodium chloride, copper sulfate, and potassium nitrate. Substances that are not electrolytes include distilled water, sugar water, and most organic compounds. Which of the following is a non-electrolyte?

Answer 1

To determine which of the substances is a non-electrolyte, we need to consider that non-electrolytes do not dissociate into ions when dissolved in water, and therefore, they do not conduct electricity.

Let's examine the given options:

1. Hydrogen (H2): Hydrogen is a molecular compound and, as a gas, it does not dissociate into ions. Therefore, it is a non-electrolyte.

2. Sodium chloride (NaCl): Sodium chloride is an ionic compound and when dissolved in water, it dissociates into sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-). This dissociation allows it to conduct electricity. Therefore, it is an electrolyte.

3. Copper sulfate (CuSO4): Copper sulfate is an ionic compound, and when dissolved in water, it dissociates into copper ions (Cu2+) and sulfate ions (SO42-). Hence, it is an electrolyte.

4. Potassium nitrate (KNO3): Potassium nitrate is also an ionic compound, and when dissolved in water, it dissociates into potassium ions (K+) and nitrate ions (NO3-). So, it is an electrolyte.

5. Distilled water: Distilled water does not contain any dissolved ions, meaning it does not dissociate into ions. Therefore, it is a non-electrolyte.

6. Sugar water: Sugar (sucrose) is a molecular compound and does not ionize or dissociate into ions in water. Hence, it is a non-electrolyte.

7. Most organic compounds: Organic compounds, which consist mainly of carbon and hydrogen, do not ionize in water and therefore do not conduct electricity. Hence, they are non-electrolytes.

Based on the explanations, distilled water and sugar water are both examples of non-electrolytes.