Final answer:
Ethanol (C2H5OH) is neither a strong acid nor a strong base; it is a non-electrolyte that does not conduct electricity in solution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The compound C2H5OH, which is ethanol, is an organic alcohol. Based on its properties, ethanol is neither a strong acid nor a strong base. In aqueous solutions, alcohols like ethanol do not dissociate significantly in water to form H+ (hydronium) ions or OH- (hydroxide) ions.
Therefore, they cannot be classified as strong electrolytes. Additionally, ethanol does not have the characteristic acidic functional group (-CO2H) that would make it an acid, nor does it have a strong basic functional group. So, it cannot be correctly classified as a strong acid or base.
Since ethanol is a covalent compound that dissolves in water to give solutions of neutral molecules, it is correctly categorized as a non-electrolyte, meaning it does not produce ions in solution. This defines its property as a substance that does not conduct electricity when in solution, which is typical for non-electrolytes.