Final answer:
Water (H2O) does not typically form ions when dissolved in water and is therefore not an electrolyte. Compounds such as HCl and NaOH dissolve and ionize in water, making them strong electrolytes. In contrast, Ca2CO3 is a weak electrolyte because it only slightly ionizes.The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which of the following compounds is not an electrolyte: A) HCl, B) Ca2CO3, C) H2O, and D) NaOH. Electrolytes are substances that dissolve in water to form ions, and thus, are capable of conducting electricity. The substances given can be classified based on whether they produce ions when dissolved in water.
- HCl (hydrochloric acid) completely ionizes into H+ and Cl- ions, making it a strong electrolyte.
- CaCO3 (calcium carbonate) is only slightly soluble in water but can form ions, thus it is a weak electrolyte.
- NaOH (sodium hydroxide) dissociates completely into Na+ and OH- ions, making it a strong electrolyte.
- H2O (water), however, does not typically form ions and therefore is considered a non-electrolyte.
Based on this information, the answer to the question is C) H2O because it does not form free ions in solution and therefore does not conduct electricity.