Question

In the context of evaluating electrolytes and nonelectrolytes, what is the key factor used to classify substances into these categories?

a) Molecular weight
b) Solubility
c) Conductivity in solution
d) Color

Answer 1

The key factor to classify substances into electrolytes and nonelectrolytes is their conductivity in solution. Ionic compounds are electrolytes and conduct electricity, whereas nonionic molecular compounds are nonelectrolytes and do not conduct electricity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The key factor used to classify substances into electrolytes and nonelectrolytes is c) Conductivity in solution. An electrolyte is a substance that produces ions when dissolved in water, thereby conducting electricity. A nonelectrolyte does not dissociate into ions in solution and thus does not conduct electricity.

Classifying each substance as an electrolyte or a nonelectrolyte:

• a. CH3CH2CH2OH (1-propanol) is a nonionic organic compound, hence a nonelectrolyte.
• b. Ca(CH3CO2)2 (Calcium acetate) is an ionic compound that dissociates into ions in solution, thus an electrolyte.
• c. I2 (Iodine) is a molecular substance that does not ionize in solution, making it a nonelectrolyte.
• d. KOH (Potassium hydroxide) is an ionic compound and a strong electrolyte when dissolved in water.

Answer: c) Conductivity in solution

Answer 2

The key factor used to classify substances into electrolytes and nonelectrolytes is conductivity in solution. Substances that contain freely mobile, charged species and dissolve into ions in solution are electrolytes, while nonionic solutes are nonelectrolytes.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of evaluating electrolytes and nonelectrolytes, the key factor used to classify substances into these categories is conductivity in solution.

Substances may be identified as strong, weak, or nonelectrolytes by measuring the electrical conductance of an aqueous solution containing the substance. To conduct electricity, a substance must contain freely mobile, charged species, such as ions. Solutions may conduct electricity if they contain dissolved ions, with conductivity increasing as ion concentration increases.

Based on the given substances:

1. CH3CH₂CH₂OH: Nonionic solute, Nonelectrolyte
2. Ca(CH3CO2)2: Ionic solute, Electrolyte
3. I₂: Nonionic solute, Nonelectrolyte
4. KOH: Ionic solute, Electrolyte