Question

Which one of the following can be considered as a weak electrolyte?
(A) $NaCl$
(B) $HCl$
(C) $C{{H}_{3}}COOH$
(D) ${{K}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}$

Answer 1

An electrolyte is a material that makes an electrically conducting medium when dissolved in a polar solvent like water. The dissolved electrolyte dissociates into cations and anions, which scatter uniformly throughout the solvent. A weak electrolyte will not dissociate or ionize easily in the solvent.

Complete step by step answer:

• Here we have to find which electrolyte is weak among the given options.
• Coming to the given options, Option A, $NaCl$. We know that sodium chloride dissolves completely in a polar solvent. Then it is a strong electrolyte.
• Coming to option B, $HCl$. We know that hydrochloric acid is a strong acid and strong electrolyte dissolves completely in a polar solvent. Then it is a strong electrolyte.
• Coming to option D, ${{K}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}$. We know that potassium sulfate is a salt and completely dissociates in the polar solvent. Then it is also a strong electrolyte.
• Coming to option C, $C{{H}_{3}}COOH$. We know that Acetic acid is a weak acid because it won’t liberate Hydrogen ion very easily in a polar solvent. Means it is a weak acid and also called a weak electrolyte.
  Therefore acetic acid is a weak electrolyte.

So, the correct option is C.

Note: Electrolytes are two types. One is strong electrolyte and the second one weak electrolyte.
Strong electrolyte- A solute or a substance that completely ionizes or dissociates in a solution is called a strong electrolyte.
Weak electrolyte- A solute or a substance that will not completely ionize or dissociate in a solution is called a weak electrolyte.