Final answer:
NaSO₄ (sodium sulfate) is an electrolyte since it dissociates into ions when dissolved in water, allowing the solution to conduct electricity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked which of the following substances is an electrolyte:
- (a) NaSO₄
- (b) C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁
- (c) CH₃CH₂OH
- (d) PF₆
An electrolyte is a substance that dissolves in water to give a solution that conducts an electric current. In the list provided, NaSO₄ (sodium sulfate) is an electrolyte because it dissociates into sodium (Na+) and sulfate (SO₄²⁹) ions in solution. Other substances like KOH (potassium hydroxide) and BaO (barium oxide) are also examples of electrolytes as they dissolve in water to yield ions. Comparatively, substances like C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ (sucrose) and CH₃CH₂OH (ethanol) are considered nonelectrolytes because they do not dissociate into ions in solution. Substances that produce ions when dissolved in water are capable of conducting electricity, hence why electrolyte solutions can conduct electricity.