Final answer:
d) Non-electrolyte. Pure water (H2O) is a non-electrolyte because it does not dissociate significantly into ions in water.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pure water (H2O) is a non-electrolyte. In water, a small fraction of water molecules naturally break down into H3O+ (hydronium ions) and OH- (hydroxide ions). However, the dissociation of water is very minimal, and the majority of water molecules remain in their undissociated form. Therefore, pure water does not conduct electricity and is considered a non-electrolyte.
Pure water (H2O) is not an acid or a base; it is a neutral substance that forms ions by itself in a very small extent. When water self-ionizes, it produces equal amounts of H3O+ (hydronium ion) and OH- (hydroxide ion), which makes it neutral. Therefore, the correct answer to the question 'What type of substance is pure water (H2O)?' would be d) Non-electrolyte.