Lecture Notes: Electrolytes and Non-Electrolytes

Overview of Electrolytes

• Definition: Compounds that produce ions and can conduct electricity when dissolved in water (aqueous solution).
• Categories:
  • Strong Electrolytes: Ionize completely in aqueous solution.
  • Weak Electrolytes: Partially ionize in aqueous solution.

Strong Electrolytes

• Characteristics: Complete ionization in water.
• Examples:
  • Sodium Chloride (NaCl): Ionizes completely to form Na+ and Cl- ions.
  • Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4): Ionizes completely to form K+ and SO4^2- ions.

Weak Electrolytes

• Characteristics: Partial ionization in water.
• Examples:
  • Ethanoic Acid (Acetic Acid): Partially ionizes to form H+ and CH3COO- ions, with some molecules remaining undissociated.

Non-Electrolytes

• Definition: Compounds that do not produce ions and cannot conduct electricity when dissolved in water.
• Examples:
  • Glucose: Does not ionize in water.
  • Ethanol: Molecular compound that remains undissociated in water.

Classification of Electrolytes

• Non-Electrolytes: Most molecular compounds except acids and bases.
• Strong Electrolytes: All ionic compounds, strong acids, and strong bases.
• Weak Electrolytes: Weak acids and weak bases.

Examples of Strong Acids

• Nitric Acid (HNO3)
• Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)
• Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)
• Perchloric Acid (HClO4)
• Chloric Acid (HClO3)
• Hydrobromic Acid (HBr)
• Hydroiodic Acid (HI)

Examples of Strong Bases

• Group 1 Hydroxides:
  • Lithium Hydroxide (LiOH)
  • Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
  • Potassium Hydroxide (KOH)
• Group 2 Hydroxides:
  • Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)
  • Barium Hydroxide (Ba(OH)2)
  • Strontium Hydroxide (Sr(OH)2)

Examples of Weak Acids

• Organic acids (e.g., Ethanoic Acid)
• Methanoic Acid
• Note: Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) is a weak acid (not to be confused with HCl, HBr, HI which are strong acids).

Example of Weak Base

• Ammonia (NH3)

Classification of Specific Compounds

• Calcium Chloride (CaCl2): Strong electrolyte (ionic compound).
• Nitric Acid (HNO3): Strong electrolyte (strong acid).
• Ethanol (C2H5OH): Non-electrolyte (molecular compound).
• Methanoic Acid (HCOOH): Weak electrolyte (weak acid).
• Potassium Hydroxide (KOH): Strong electrolyte (strong base).