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Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution
Chapter 4, Problem 2

Aqueous solutions of three different substances, AX, AY, and AZ, are represented by the three accompanying diagrams. Identify each substance as a strong electrolyte, a weak electrolyte, or a nonelectrolyte. (a)


(b)


(c)

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Electrolytes

Electrolytes are substances that dissociate into ions when dissolved in water, allowing the solution to conduct electricity. They can be classified into strong electrolytes, which completely dissociate into ions, weak electrolytes, which partially dissociate, and nonelectrolytes, which do not dissociate at all. Understanding these classifications is crucial for analyzing the conductivity of solutions.
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Electrolytes and Strong Acids

Strong vs. Weak Electrolytes

Strong electrolytes, such as sodium chloride, fully ionize in solution, resulting in high conductivity. In contrast, weak electrolytes, like acetic acid, only partially ionize, leading to lower conductivity. Recognizing the differences in ionization behavior helps in determining the nature of the substances AX, AY, and AZ in the given question.
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Weak Electrolyes and Weak Acids

Conductivity Testing

The conductivity of an aqueous solution is a practical method to identify electrolytes. Solutions with high conductivity indicate the presence of strong electrolytes, while low conductivity suggests weak electrolytes or nonelectrolytes. By observing the conductivity of the solutions represented in the diagrams, one can classify AX, AY, and AZ accordingly.
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Test for Anions
Related Practice
Textbook Question

Potassium superoxide, KO2, is often used in oxygen masks (such as those used by firefighters) because KO2 reacts with CO2 to release molecular oxygen. Experiments indicate that 2 mol of KO21s2 react with each mole of CO21g2. (b) Indicate the oxidation number for each atom involved in the reaction in part (a). What elements are being oxidized and reduced?

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Textbook Question

Acetone, CH3COCH3, is a nonelectrolyte; hypochlorous acid, HClO, is a weak electrolyte; and ammonium chloride, NH4Cl, is a strong electrolyte. (a) What are the solutes present in aqueous solutions of each compound? What solute particles are present in an aqueous solution of NH4Cl?

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Textbook Question

Which of the following schematic drawings best describes a solution of Li2SO4 in water (water molecules not shown for simplicity)?

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Textbook Question

Use the molecular representations shown here to classify each compound as a nonelectrolyte, a weak electrolyte, or a strong electrolyte (see Figure 4.6 for the element color scheme). (a)

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Textbook Question

The concept of chemical equilibrium is very important. Which one of the following statements is the most correct way to think about equilibrium? (a) If a system is at equilibrium, nothing is happening. (b) If a system is at equilibrium, the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the back reaction. (c) If a system is at equilibrium, the product concentration is changing over time.

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Textbook Question

You are presented with a white solid and told that due to careless labeling it is not clear if the substance is barium chloride, lead chloride, or zinc chloride. When you transfer the solid to a beaker and add water, the solid dissolves to give a clear solution. Next an Na2SO41aq2 solution is added and a white precipitate forms. What is the identity of the unknown white solid?

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