Which of these compounds is a weak electrolyte?
NaCl
[tex]$C _6 H _{12} O _6$[/tex] (glucose)
[tex]$O _2$[/tex]
[tex]$CH _3 COOH$[/tex] (acetic acid)
HCI
Answer (2)
NaCl is a strong electrolyte.
Glucose ( C 6 H 12 O 6 ) is a non-electrolyte.
Oxygen ( O 2 ) is a non-electrolyte.
Acetic acid ( C H 3 COO H ) is a weak electrolyte, as it only partially dissociates in water.
HCl is a strong electrolyte.
Therefore, the answer is C H 3 COO H .
Explanation
Identifying Weak Electrolytes We need to identify which of the given compounds is a weak electrolyte. A weak electrolyte is a substance that only partially dissociates into ions when dissolved in water. Let's analyze each compound:
NaCl NaCl is a strong electrolyte because it completely dissociates into N a + and C l − ions in water.
Glucose C 6 H 12 O 6 (glucose) is a non-electrolyte because it dissolves in water but does not dissociate into ions.
Oxygen O 2 is a non-electrolyte because it is a nonpolar molecule and does not dissociate into ions in water.
Acetic Acid C H 3 COO H (acetic acid) is a weak electrolyte because it is a weak acid and only partially dissociates into C H 3 CO O − and H + ions in water.
Hydrochloric Acid HCl is a strong electrolyte because it is a strong acid and completely dissociates into H + and C l − ions in water.
Conclusion Therefore, the weak electrolyte among the given options is acetic acid ( C H 3 COO H ).
Examples
Understanding electrolytes is crucial in various real-life applications. For instance, in sports drinks, electrolytes like sodium and potassium help replenish those lost through sweat, maintaining proper hydration and nerve function. In batteries, electrolytes facilitate the flow of ions, enabling the battery to produce electricity. Moreover, in the human body, electrolytes play a vital role in regulating nerve and muscle function, hydration, and blood pH. Identifying weak electrolytes like acetic acid helps in understanding chemical reactions and equilibrium in solutions, which is essential in fields like medicine and environmental science.
The weak electrolyte among the given options is acetic acid ( C H 3 COO H ), which partially dissociates in water. Other compounds like NaCl and HCl are strong electrolytes, while glucose and oxygen are non-electrolytes. Therefore, the answer is C H 3 COO H .
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