Which compound forms an electrolyte when dissolved in water?
NaCl is one
You may have other choices ...
Many different compounds can form electrolytes when dissolved in water. Electrolytes are substances that dissociate into ions when dissolved in water, allowing for the conduction of electricity.
Some common examples of electrolytes include:
1. Sodium chloride (NaCl): When dissolved in water, NaCl dissociates into sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-).
2. Potassium nitrate (KNO3): Dissociates into potassium ions (K+) and nitrate ions (NO3-).
3. Calcium chloride (CaCl2): Dissociates into calcium ions (Ca2+) and chloride ions (Cl-).
4. Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4): Dissociates into magnesium ions (Mg2+) and sulfate ions (SO42-).
These are just a few examples, but there are many other compounds that can form electrolytes when dissolved in water.
To determine which compound forms an electrolyte when dissolved in water, we need to understand what an electrolyte is and how it behaves when dissolved.
An electrolyte is a substance that conducts electricity when dissolved in water or in molten form. It does so by dissociating into ions - positively charged cations and negatively charged anions. These ions can move freely in the solution, allowing electric current to pass through.
1. Ionic compounds: Most ionic compounds dissociate into ions when dissolved in water, making them strong electrolytes. Examples include sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium nitrate (KNO3), and calcium chloride (CaCl2).
2. Acids: Acids are substances that release hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved in water. Strong acids, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and nitric acid (HNO3), completely dissociate into ions, making them strong electrolytes. Weak acids, like acetic acid (CH3COOH), only partially dissociate, making them weaker electrolytes.
3. Bases: Bases are substances that release hydroxide ions (OH-) when dissolved in water. Strong bases, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH), fully dissociate into ions, making them strong electrolytes. Weak bases, like ammonia (NH3), partially dissociate, making them weaker electrolytes.
4. Some salts: Not all salts are strong electrolytes. Some, like potassium sulfate (K2SO4) or sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), partially dissociate, while others, like magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) or potassium phosphate (K3PO4), fully dissociate into ions, making them strong electrolytes.
It's important to note that covalent compounds, such as sugars or alcohols, generally do not dissociate into ions and therefore do not act as electrolytes.
In summary, ionic compounds, acids, bases, and certain salts can form electrolytes when dissolved in water, while covalent compounds do not.