Final answer:
Upon dissolving sodium acetate (CH₃COONa) in water, it dissociates into sodium ions (Na+) and acetate ions (CH₃COO-), making the solution capable of conducting electricity.
Step-by-step explanation:
When sodium acetate (CH₃COONa) is dissolved in water, it dissociates into sodium ions (Na+) and acetate ions (CH₃COO-). Sodium acetate is a salt derived from a weak acid (acetic acid, CH₃COOH) and a strong base (sodium hydroxide, NaOH). As such, upon dissolving in water, the ionic compound separates into its constituent ions.
The reaction for the dissolution can be represented as follows:
- CH₃COONa (s) → Na+ (aq) + CH₃COO- (aq)
This process makes sodium acetate a good conductor of electricity in aqueous solution, as it produces free-moving charged species that facilitate the flow of current.