which of the following is a nonelectrolyte?
a)c3h8
b)h2so
c)hcl
d)hno 3
e)nacl
C3H8 is propane. That is a non-electrolyte. All the others are electrolytes; i.e.,
H2SO4 -sulfuric acid
HCl --The solution is an electrolyte. The dry compound minus water is a non-electrolyte
HNO3--nitric acid.
NaCl (solution) is an electrolyte in the molten state or in solution but the dry compound is not.
A nonelectrolyte is a substance that does not conduct electricity when dissolved in water or melted. Among the options you provided, the nonelectrolyte is compound (a) C3H8, which is propane. Propane does not dissociate into ions when dissolved or melted, therefore, not conducting electricity. The other options, (b) H2SO, (c) HCl, (d) HNO3, and (e) NaCl, are all electrolytes as they dissociate into ions when dissolved or melted, allowing them to conduct electricity.
To determine which of the compounds is a nonelectrolyte, we need to understand what an electrolyte is. An electrolyte is a substance that, when dissolved in water or another solvent, produces ions that can conduct electric current.
Ions are charged particles formed when a compound dissociates in water. In other words, electrolytes can conduct electricity because they break apart into ions.
Now, let's analyze each compound:
a) C3H8 (propane): This is a hydrocarbon and does not dissociate into ions when dissolved in water. Therefore, it is a nonelectrolyte.
b) H2SO (which should be H2SO4, sulfuric acid): This compound dissociates into ions in water, producing H+ and SO4-2 ions. Therefore, it is an electrolyte.
c) HCl (hydrochloric acid): This compound dissociates into H+ and Cl- ions in water. Therefore, it is an electrolyte.
d) HNO3 (nitric acid): This compound also dissociates into H+ and NO3- ions in water. Therefore, it is an electrolyte.
e) NaCl (sodium chloride): This compound dissociates completely into Na+ and Cl- ions in water. Therefore, it is an electrolyte.
So, the correct answer is a) C3H8, which is a nonelectrolyte.