Electrolytes and Their Classification

These flashcards cover the key concepts surrounding electrolytes, their classification, and the principles of electric conductivity related to solutions.

What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are substances that can conduct electricity when dissolved in water.

What happens to a strong electrolyte in water?

A strong electrolyte completely dissociates into ions, allowing electricity to conduct effectively and causing the light bulb in a conductivity test to glow brightly.

What is the main characteristic of a weak electrolyte?

A weak electrolyte only partially dissociates into ions in water, resulting in a dimly glowing light bulb during conductivity tests.

What distinguishes a nonelectrolyte from electrolytes?

A nonelectrolyte does not dissociate into ions in solution and does not conduct electricity, so the light bulb remains off.

How can you identify if a solution conducts electricity?

If an aqueous solution allows a light bulb to glow when connected to an electrical circuit, it is considered an electrolyte.

What occurs when sodium chloride (NaCl) is dissolved in water?

NaCl dissociates completely into sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) ions, acting as a strong electrolyte.

Give an example of a weak electrolyte.

Hydrogen fluoride (HF) partially dissociates in water, resulting in a few ions and mostly intact molecules.

What is the result of mixing sugar with water regarding conductivity?

The sugar solution does not dissociate into ions, so it is a nonelectrolyte and does not conduct electricity.

How is the principle of a complete circuit related to electrolytes?

Electrolytes allow ions to move between electrodes, completing a closed circuit essential for conducting electrical current.

What is the role of the water when dissolving an electrolyte?

Water acts as a solvent that facilitates the dissociation of the electrolyte into ions.